Kevin Baker's book is here!

Kevin Baker's book is here!
"... an exemplary sports book..." Kirkus Reviews

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Jamie Hoffmann feeling pressure of being Number One draft pick


Lou Alcindor. LeBron James. Too Tall Jones. Peyton Manning. Michael Vick...
.
Every kid dreams of someday being the first pick in the draft -- the most sought-after youngster in the world.
.
But the talented few -- whose name that magical day is called before all others -- must endure the kind of pressure that can break a bridge in Minnesota like Lawrence Taylor greeting Joe Theisman's femur.
.
Not since 1991 -- with, Brien Taylor, the Carolinian Koufax, with the 98-mile-per-hour barfight left hook -- had the Yankees drafted first... until this holiday season. They chose in the MLB Rule 5 Draft, Jamie Hoffmann, who is profiled today in the New York Times. THE FIRST PICK!
.
Amazingly, Hoffmann scoffs at being placed among the likes of 1st picks such as Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton and last year's other number one, Stephen Strasburg.
.
The headline sums it up:

May Hoffmann make us forget Brien Taylor.
That way, only Alphonso will always re-remind us.

1 comment:

Joe DePastry said...

Not to mention the pressure of being a draft pick for whom the Yankees were compelled to surrender Brian Bruney.