With thousands of player transactions, hundreds of different fantasy sports games and millions of dollars tossed at sports books each year, it is easy to forget that professional athletes are humans too and not simply objects.
As the MLB trade deadline came and went, dozens of players were moved across the country to new homes. Most of those players have families and established roots in their previous stop, only to be displaced within minutes. While the heavy majority understand what they signed up and professional baseball is a lucrative business, they remain humans with human emotions.
The Twins Brian Dozier quickly reminded everyone of that lost concept after Josh Willingham was traded to Kansas City this week. Willingham only donned a Minnesota uniform for two-plus seasons, but apparently created a few lifelong friendships in that short time.
One of those was Dozier, who debuted in 2012, during Willingham’s first season in Minneapolis. Following the news of his friend’s departure, the Twins second baseman offered a few somber words (via Mike Berardino):
He’s been a joy to have – kind of my mentor the past three years and pretty much my best friend to be honest with you, so it’s a tough loss.
You can watch the entire interview below, where he prefaces the comments but saying he understands baseball is a business, but his brief remarks are a quick reminder that athletes are just like everyone else, with real emotions and real best friends.
Video: Brian Dozier on losing Josh Willingham — “Pretty much my best friend” — to the #Royals http://t.co/QlzRQzVvXm
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) August 12, 2014
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Photo Courtesy: Paul Beaty/AP
