The strange saga of Slade Heathcott is unfolding

In case you haven't already heard, the story of Slade Heathcott is as uncommon as his name.

He's the Yankees' 2009 top pick out, taken out of high school, a 5-tool specimen who apparently plummeted in the first round due to what the writers call "a troublesome past."

Friday morning, the Chattanooga newspaper - I think it's the Choo-Choo - published an art house piece on Heathcott's gruesome history. Even the headline ran long: Tale of salvation: Formerly a tormented teen, RiverDogs star and top Yankee prospect Slade Heathcott has turned his life around.

The reporter must have worked months, coaxing interviews. The nut of it: At age 20, Heathcott has done several stints in Hell: Homelessness, alcohol rehab, broken home -- once came within a trigger-flick of shooting his dad. Charles Dickens would have liked this guy. He became a great athlete. (And, thanks to American societal priorities, a millionaire.) The story is written in a favorable light to Heathcottt -- of course, in exchange for exposing every strand of dirty laundry in the young man's past. (No judgment being made. Been there, done that.)

So here's the timeline:

Thursday night, Heathcott goes 1-4, lowering his average to .312.

Friday morning, the story hits print.

Friday night, on his first at bat, Heathcott gets plunked. It nearly hits him in the head. He immediately swirls and drives himself into the catcher the way running back Brandon Jacobs once did for the Jersey Giants. From there, it's Lions v. Christians. See for yourself:



Heathcott will face a suspension. The blogosphere is jerking its knees. The guy needs counseling. But some questions here:

1. I'm not faulting the writer -- like I say, been there, done that -- but I wonder what Heathcott knew was coming in Friday's paper? The writer owed it to Heathcott to let him know. The guy may be a millionaire, but he's also a child -- obviously with issues.

2. I'm wondering about the catcher-pitcher dynamics when Heathcott came to bat. Don't know what the catcher said. Don't know why the pitcher threw at his head. Talk about assholes? They must be online trolls. Part of me is glad Heathcott fought back. Maybe -- just maybe -- this was warranted. Dunno.

3. The Yankees must stand behind this kid. And so should the Chattanooga Choo-Choo (which is actually the Post-Courier.) They'll submit the story for awards. They might win one. (Nothing wrong with that.)  But in editorials and coverage, they should support Heathcott. Clearly, the pressure of this story added another ring of Hell. Of course, it was always going to come out. But a lot of faceless Internet troll bastards will be ripping this kid for the rest of his career. He needs support.

And, yeah, it wouldn't hurt to have the next Josh Hamilton.