GOODYEAR, Ariz. –When someone asks Pat Kelly to wrestle this year, he will decline.
That may seem like the obvious thing to do. Most people would answer such an offer with a polite “no thank you,” but for Kelly it will signal the end of an era. Because throughout the 62-year-old’s long minor-league managing career, there’s been an understanding among his players: If you challenge Kelly to a wrestling match, he will accept.
And he will win.
He’s taken all challengers over the years. Most bounce off him like Nerf darts. Some claim to have beaten him, although Kelly acknowledged only a couple draws.