Tragic Death Of Teammate Fails To Put Things In Perspective

INDIANAPOLIS, IN--When Rod Macklin of the Triple A Indianapolis Indians was killed in a tragic car accident on October 5th, many thought it would throw the team into a tailspin as they struggled to deal with the stunning loss. However, a funny thing happened to the Indians after Mackey’s death: Nothing. The team continued playing its schedule as if nothing happened, focusing intently on winning ball games and all but forgetting their deceased teammate.

“Rod’s death really put nothing at all in perspective,” said manager Ed North. “I don’t feel anything at all. We still feel like the game of baseball is really important, despite the fact that one of our players lost his life in a tragic accident. Yep, our perspective is exactly the same.”

After hearing the news, North did not reflect on the importance of spending time with your loved ones, nor did he gain a greater appreciation of all that he has. His players didn’t either.

“I still don’t appreciate anything. I still feel pretty much the same,” North said. “I have no interest whatsoever in grabbing my children and hugging them or telling my wife I love her. Oh, and I also don’t realize that baseball is just a game and it’s trivial compared to cherishing every day you have on this earth. Sorry, I just don’t.”

Even at the funeral, North confessed to thinking mostly about baseball.

“That funeral really made me stop and think. As the body was being lowered into the ground, all I could think about was how the hell I was going to replace his bat in the lineup. He was a gifted right-handed hitter. I remember thinking that I could stick [Manny] Vera in the there, or maybe even Ross McKinney. Then as we were singing ‘Amazing Grace’ I was wondering who I should start in right field. Man, these tragic deaths can create a glut of roster problems.”

Macklin’s teammates were shocked when they heard the news about their friend’s death. But after a while the shock wore off, and there is no discernible difference in the players’ attitudes or perspectives.

Aaron Ford, Indians first basemen, said that he would miss his friend but “shit happens.”

“I guess it’s sad that I won’t have him to play cards with on the team bus,” he said. “He was a nice guy and we had some fun times together. He was so young, too, so it makes the tragedy that much more sad. But there are more important things to focus on right now. We’ve got to focus on winning some ball games. We can’t be worried about some dead guy. Life is for the living.”

“This has not made me stop and reflect on all the blessings that I have,” said catcher Rich Coady. “It certainly hasn’t made me question the importance of sports or anything like that. And if anyone thinks that I went home and hugged my wife and kids after I heard the news, they couldn’t be more wrong. Why would I do that? They’re not the ones that died. They’re still alive and well and bleeding me for every penny I have.”

In addition to not having their perspective changed, the team said that it had no plans to keep Macklin’s loved ones in their prayers.

“Nah, I won’t be keeping them in my prayers and hoping they get through this horrible tragedy. In fact, I haven’t thought much about them at all,” said Coady. “I don’t think my teammates have either. It’s just business as usual here. His family is going to have to get through this on their own. It’s not like there is a God anyway.”

He added: “I’ve got my own problems to think about. My fantasy football team is tanking this year.”

Immediately after Macklin’s death, the team placed all his belongings in a cardboard box and shipped them to the family along with a bouquet of flowers and a condolence card. There are no special ceremonies or gestures planned to honor the memory of Macklin, and the players will not be wearing black armbands for the remainder of the season.

“Somebody did mention something about black armbands, but I don’t think that’s going to happen,” said North. “I don’t know. I’m just not really into black, nor am I into honoring people’s memories. Actually, I forgot that he [Macklin] even died until you came in here today and reminded me. Heh. Go figure. I must be getting senile in my old age.”

The team also declined to hold a moment of silence before the game immediately after Macklin was killed.

“A moment of silence? Why? We’re a baseball team not a goddamn congregation,” said North. “We are so focused on baseball right now we are just shutting out everything else. It’s just like before Mack’s death. We’re all completely oblivious. Oh, and please don’t ask if the team is going to rally around the memory of our fallen comrade and play inspired ball. I think we all know the answer to that question.”