It is one thing to be traded, it is another thing to adjust to life on the other side with a new organization.
The offseason after I was traded from the Cubs to the Phillies, my professional life shifted from the familiar with the Cubs, to learning a new team with the Phillies. Once the media interest slowed, one of the first questions I had to answer that offseason was what number I wanted.
Lenny Dysktra, aka “Nails,” was still hanging on as the Phillies center fielder but he was battling a back issue. I had to win the job, which was the only way I thought to approach it.