Classic card of the week

Travis Fryman, 1994 Upper Deck

Get up, Travis Fryman! The future is now. You are 25 years old and a shortstop for crying out loud!

Oftentimes our epiphanies arrive at our lowest point. As it has happened to many of us –- while on our backs, hatless and confused, with some dude’s head on our shoulder –- it happened to Travis Fryman.

Fryman, who had always assumed that the future was later, got his wake-up call in 1993. He was 25 years old. A shortstop. Going nowhere except for the fact that he was playing professional baseball, and playing it well. But the voice motivated him. It was now or never. Fryman responded dramatically by continuing to play baseball, albeit at a slightly lesser success rate than his peak year of ’93. But hey, what are ya’ gonna do? In those days, the future was then.

Let us discover more:



Detroit fans have been spoiled

I would like to pause here for effect. Sorry, Detroit fans.

with the likes of Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell in the Tigers infield, but Travis Fryman has not disappointed the Motor City faithful.

No doubt every Tigers fan in the early 90s felt utterly spoiled by not only their 1984 World Series Championship, but also the illuminating gloss of success that comes from boasting an infield that includes such major league heavyweights as Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. Growing up a Yankees fan, I always lamented the fact that I could not openly root for Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. They truly transcended the sport in the way that they, ya’ know, did things. For example, who can forget Alan Trammell’s famous accurate throws? Or Lou Whitaker’s whatever?

In fact, Detroit fans felt so spoiled by Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker that they had no need for other baseball players on their team, especially some hotshot 25-year old shortstop who was bound to disappointment with his inability to be Alan Trammell or especially Lou Whitaker. That Travis Fryman was able to not disappoint under this immense pressure is a testament to both his talent and his realization that the future is now, which in this context means 1993.

Wikipedia, thoughts?

With 5 trips to the All-Star Game, Fryman is the most distinguished alumnus of the Fayetteville Generals.

I am almost certain this is humorous to only me, but in my head I am picturing a post-Civil War epic film, where Travis Fryman is introduced to a group of political elites –- all wearing monocles –- as “the most distinguished alumnus of the Fayetteville Generals.” Also, in the movie the whole point of the war was to go to the All-Star Game. Then, after Fryman is introduced, the Senator of Virginia turns to the Head of State and wryly whispers: “Yeah, but he’s no Alan Trammell.”

Did you know?
When pressed for his thoughts about being eligible on the upcoming Hall of Fame ballot in 2007, Fryman responded, “I have no comment. That’s all in the past.”