Mark_Concannon's Blog

Not like Michael Jordan. Everybody wants to be like that Mike. I want to be like Mike Redmond. He's the Minnesota Twins backup catcher who just signed a one year extension with the team for 950-thousand dollars. Mike Redmond played in 38 games last season. That works out to my hero getting paid 25-thousand bucks per contest. In all fairness, Redmond did bat .287 in limited duty backing up Minnesota's redoubtable receiver Joe Mauer and is a career .292 hitter. Redmond was praised by Twins' management as being "a great guy to have in the clubhouse." If I only had to work 7 months a year, and  just one out of 4 days during those 7 months for that kind of cash, I'd be a great guy too.

I am Redmond's biggest fan because he has made a handsome career out of being a bit part player. In 11 seasons, he's seen action in just  697 games. He's competed sparingly because he's had the misfortune(or good fortune) of playing behind two aces; Mauer and Ivan Rodriguez. And did we mention that while playing(or not playing) with Rodriguez in Florida, Redmond picked up a World Series ring?

The 37-year-old Redmond was thrilled to get a new deal with the Twins and said he hopes to play until he's 40. 40? Why stop there? Being so well-preserved, Mike Redmond could still occasionally strap on the gear when he's 50. And that gear is a lot less expensive with an AARP discount.