If you have not looked at the internet or listened to any sports talk radio over the last 24 hours, you better brace yourself. Vontae Davis, corner back for the Buffalo Bills, retired during halftime of his team's game yesterday. To make it worse, he didn't bother telling any of his teammates. Some people have called him a coward for his actions. Others have thought it is kind of a bad ass move to just drop the mic and say "Peace. I'm out".
My opinion lies somewhere in the middle.
If a guy knows he's done, I can't blame him for not wanting to risk his body even for one more play. Even more important is not risking your teammates' bodies by not being able to do your job. But walking out without talking to any of his teammates was a bad move. He could have told the coaches he was done and stayed on the sideline to support his team. That move would have been more bad ass than a "Irish goodbye".
But quitting mid-game does not always have to be such a downer. In fact, it can be down right fun... as long as your manager and teammates are in on it.
Exhibit A: I give you neighborhood softball player John Kruk.
Oh wait, he only looked like a softball player. The dude was an actual elite hitter for most of his 10 year MLB career with the Padres, Phillies, and Whitesox.
Kruk made 3 All-Star teams, had a career OBP of .397, an OPS. of .842, and had a career batting average of exactly .300. Do you know how hard it is to end up with a career BA of exactly .300? Really freaking hard!
Do you know why Kruk ended with that exact average?
Because on on July 30, 1995, in the first inning of a game at Baltimore's Camden Yards, Kruk stepped to the plate with a career .299 average. He slapped a single and waddled to first base. His average climbed to exactly .300. Then he removed himself from the game, headed to the clubhouse, packed his shit and got ready for the flight home.
My guess is he also ate 4 chili-dogs and downed 8 beers while he enjoyed his first taste of retired life.
Now that is how your retire mid-game!
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