A sad but excellent feature on journeyman baseball player Reggie Willits, now 30-years old and playing in the minor leagues with kids almost half his age.
For every familiar leading man like Torii Hunter, the Angels’ right fielder who is guaranteed $18 million a season for five years, there are dozens of bit players like [Reggie] Willits whose survival depends on a mastery of nuances such as bunting, pinch running or being a step quicker on defense.
The stars have job security, but the reserves are always looking over their shoulder, agonizing over every mistake and hoping management doesn’t find a younger or cheaper alternative.
