Mike Maroth's Final Call

Like many baseball careers Mike Maroth is not in control of when the end comes. It usually arrives like the suddenness of a 2:00 AM phone call. Maroth is a a left handed starting pitcher the Minnesota Twins have invited to spring training with a history of arm and knee injuries. He wants to avoid that final call that ends a career, but when you are a 33 year old finesse pitcher with a career ERA of 5.05 and a record of 50-67 the end is knocking. A coaching position at the lower levels of the sport beckons. Maroth's only notable resume item doesn't help matters, which is being the last pitcher to lose 20 games (21 games exactly) as he did on the 2003 Detroit Tigers. There's no doubt Mike Maroth came to Twins came looking to impress and hope his softly tossed arsenal of pitches could land him the final spot in the bullpen. Praying his left arm could last a few weeks longer and act as if it is ten years younger than it is was his goal. The body seldom cooperates in such matters and the brain soon follows which leads us to the 6th inning of the first spring training game against the Boston Red Sox. The Twins are leading 1-0 in what is a meaning less game for most players in uniform. For Mike Maroth this game is anything but meaningless, his career and future rest on the first impression he gives the Twins' coaching staff during this brief one inning of work. That first impression may also be the last impression he makes. Maroth yielded in succession a double, a walk then an RBI single to tie the game. A double play bailed him out of further damage. Double plays save innings, but not careers. Mike Maroth may end up pitching for the Twins AAA Rochester Red Wings, but his final pitch is nearly here. Spring training is suppose to be a time for optimism, but for aging pitchers like Mike Maroth it's a reality check they'd rather not face.