The annual Willie Mac Award has an almost profound purpose behind it. Baseball are long and propped up by peaks and valleys, and when it’s all over, few feel satisfied by what transpired, even if they’ve received financial security.
The game itself is based on failure. It’s a guaranteed slog with the occasional burst of not-failure. Teammates become a hybrid of co-worker and family member at best or adversary at worst. So for teammates to give an award to one of their own at the end of the season that says, “Hey, thanks for making us appreciate the game itself” is beautiful.