“To be honest, Speedy, I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than to win the championship for my team. I’d give my right arm to have that last pitch back.” Speedy chuckles. “Hey man, we all have those thoughts from time to time.” “No doubt, but after fighting through all these years of rehab, just to retake the mound and get shelled every night against single-A talent, well, feels like a kick in the teeth. I’m having a hard time seeing light at the end of this tunnel.” Speedy says, “Hey, you know all the guys miss you and they all expect you back before long.” “They?” The line goes quiet. Even the shuffling of Speedy’s pacing silences. I ask, “What’s up?” “Look, Ryan, I told HF that I’m not coming back.” “Wait, why?” “You know why.
