I hope Darren Oliver retires
by George Kaplan on Nov 3, 2009 6:39 PM PST
51 comments
No flames, hear me out.
I was listening to MLB radio on XM this evening, and Oliver was interviewed for his perspective on the World Series games. He was clearly on a cellphone, and admitted he was at his son's football practice. The host asked how old his boys were, and he said 7 and 9.
As we know, Darren is the son of a career MLB player, and I have to imagine he is keenly aware of how his boys feel with dad gone 7 or 8 months out of the year. The Olivers live in Texas, so when the Angels are playing at home, Oliver isn't "at home". Even if the family makes a pilgrimage out to OC for part of the season, it isn't the same thing as dad being home every night.
By rough numbers, Oliver has earned $7M over the last three seasons with the Angels alone. While I wouldn't deny anyone the opportunity to make as much money as he can, I can completely understand the pull Oliver might feel to hang it up and be a full-time, stay-at-home dad. I'd like to think he has engineered his financial life to be secure for the rest of his days.
I can see the valuable contribution he would make as an anchor of the 2010 bullpen. He has shown himself to be a steady, cool performer, an excellent role model for the younger members of the staff, and a great teammate. If he elects to return for one more season, it would be a tremendous boost for the team. That would be great news.
But if he decides to call it a career and spend his days watching his kids grow, I can't begrudge him that. And in that sense, a large part of me--jealously--hopes he takes that opportunity.
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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Very well written, actually
But the man’s not done. I don’t think he’s ready to hang up his spurs. And he can still do the right thing for his kids. Speaking as a person whose step-father spent what seemed like an eternity in the middle-east during desert storm, you can still lead by example if even if you aren’t there all the time.
"Death to the opposition!" - Commander Worf, First Baseman: The Niners
by Zoe Necrosis on Nov 3, 2009 8:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Beautiful Stuff, GK.
I jumped in here incredulous, ready to blow you up. I was totally fooled by the title.
The key is what his boys think, and how they feel. Do they want dad home? Or, do they see dad taking the mound and shutting down the Red Sox and Yankees on TV in the playoffs and think to themselves: “That’s my dad!”?
I wonder what John Lackey must think about how long Sosh left Juan Rivera in the playoff lineup?
by Stirrups on Nov 3, 2009 9:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The thing is though
I don’t think Oliver has put himself in a financial situation where he’d want to retire. It came out that he was among some athletes that had money invested with Bernie Madoff and so I know he lost a decent amount of money..
And while he’s earned 7 million over 3 seasons with the Angels alone, I’m sure taxes have taken a decent hit out of that since even though he lives in Texas, he still has to pay CA taxes on at least like 90 games a year…..
I think Oliver sticks around at least another year. He’s still very effective and in no way shape or form does him not retiring equate to being a bad father.(not that you said that) I mean a lot of fathers that work struggle to find enough time to spend with their kids. I would not consider myself a work-aholic at all. But with work commitments and being in a softball league on Fridays and having a small group on Wednesdays with my wife, I’m lucky to spend like like 6 hours of quality time with my son M-F. Of course I have the weekends with him, which Oliver doesn’t get, but I’m just trying to say a lot of people work and can’t spend nearly as much time with their families as they would like.
by MH252525 on Nov 3, 2009 10:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Not Madoff, Stanford
When it is stolen, it is stolen!
by Rev Halofan on Nov 4, 2009 2:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He took any lumps before the last contract
It was during Spring Training when he learned what had happened to his investments, because the Feds froze his bank accounts. But he said at the time that he personally lost nothing, unlike other investors who became entangled with funds managed by Stanford.
That said, his take from the $3.66M he played for last year (after deducting for agent’s fee and taxes) should be enough to assuage any fears of pauperhood he might have fleetingly felt.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 4:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
In line for a decent pay raise too
As you mentioned he was definite a solid anchor to the pen this year and seeing that he’s made about 3.5 Mill this year, he probably should be able to get a at around 4.5-5 mill in arbitration for next year if not more if it manages to get there (and i’m thinking since he’s a type A FA, it’s either a new contract with the halos, arbitration or retirement). I’m sure he he’d definitely consider coming back if he could make in one year what he made in the past three.
by HaloFanInDC on Nov 3, 2009 10:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I care more about the Angels than Oliver's kids...
Screw them.
Who’s with me?
I've got nothing.
by bc56274 on Nov 3, 2009 10:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kids, pfft
who needs ’em?
I imagine the family spends most of the summer in the O.C., since they’re not in school anyway.
But either way, his financial future was hurt by a Madoff-clone. Maybe another year will help him get there, eh Ollie?
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 3, 2009 11:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
I imagine the family spends most of the summer in the O.C., since they’re not in school anyway.
What startled me was learning that Oliver had kids that young. I guess I assumed that at 40 his children would be in their teens and becoming more independent. Instead, they’re still at an age where having Daddy around means a lot.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 4:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was a little surprised when I heard the ages
but it makes sense. 30 isn’t old at all to have your first kid, really. My dad was 31 when I was born (though I was the second, and the first was when he was 29). Likewise, my step-mom had her first kid with my dad when she was 34. They’re not really the exception or the rule…it just falls into a range that I would think nothing of.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 4, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
True enough
I was 30 when my son was born as well, but I think of those in the early 40s as often having teens infecting the home.
That probably says more about my perceptions that it does about reality.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He just turned 39, actually
2 days before the Sox series started.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 4, 2009 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My first son
I had my first child a son 7 months ago. I will be 44 on the 17th.
by Baylorsgroove on Nov 6, 2009 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey. Like father, like son, like maybe son again...
One of those kids could be an Angel someday. You never know if they are like dad and grandpa. Third generation Angel. That’d be something.
Happy Birthday to the ground!
by Monkeyspanked on Nov 4, 2009 6:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He was asked if either of his boys was the lefty
He said the 9 year old is a natural lefty. I think Dad might be tutoring his son as the years go by in the finer points of a changeup and curve. There are scholarships to be won by those boys who can pitch well from the left side.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 6:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They won't need a scholarship, if Oliver has hung onto his money.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 4, 2009 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But it doesn't hurt.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, it does because there are other talented kids who can't afford college and baseball scholarships are not thick on the ground. .
Cal State Fullerton had only 7 baseball scholarship available a couple of years ago.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 4, 2009 11:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I meant it as a joke
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 5, 2009 3:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok. I don't see the joke, but I'll take your word for it.
I’m a little touchy on the subject of scholarships going to kids who don’t need them, so perhaps I’m blind to the intended humor.
My kids didn’t need them to attend UC/Cal State colleges, but were offered them for more expensive private colleges. They all three chose the public universities.
Both of my nieces could only afford PCC without a scholarship: both were given scholarships, one to Cal Poly the other to Yale.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
that was my take also
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
by Blaze453 on Nov 4, 2009 7:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There are always those people who give up a dream to be with their family, but end up simply pining for what they could be doing and end up not being a great father as a result.
If the Angels were World Champions this year, I could see him happily retiring with no regrets. But this team, and Oliver specifically, still have some things to prove and a window of opportunity in which to prove them.
For some offseason fun, check out the Mac & Windows Space Shooter game I helped make: Insectoid
by AlanFalcon on Nov 4, 2009 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
You're assuming a lot
But this team, and Oliver specifically, still have some things to prove and a window of opportunity in which to prove them.
Oliver signed with the Rangers as a 17 year old in 1988, after graduation from high school. He made his debut with the Rangers as a Sept callup in 2003, but really spent much of the next several seasons bouncing back and forth between AAA and MLB.
While it might be a regret of his that he didn’t make the World Series professionally, it might also be true that he’s sick and tired of airplane travel, of living in hotels, of seeing his kids’ sporting events and school activities only through the home videos of some other parent. If you know anyone who has to travel during much of the year for work, it is quite common that there is a spiritual erosion which takes place, wearing down the enthusiasm of the worker for the job.
He’s not an old man, but by the standards of his fellow workers he’s also not a young man. It is entirely possible that he’s worn out from the life of the last 21 years. It is likewise possible that he’d change his mind as Spring rolls around—Salmon said that he missed reporting to camp for the first few years he was retired, missed the camaraderie and the symbolic renewal of hope with a new season—but I doubt that he is, at age 39, driven by the same forces which propel many of his younger teammates.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think his wife can afford a video camera, but point taken, he ain't there during the game.
The thing is, he could move the family to OC until he reitres. It’s not such a terrible place, mostly.
And yes, I know about the tax advantages of having your primary house in Texas, but they could hang onto that place and utilize it just enough for it to qualify as a primary residence.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 4, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Family events seen second-hand suck
It doesn’t matter who takes the video, when one’s family events are seen only digitally there is a genuine sense of loss. Take it from one who knows.
Likewise, moving the family when the kids have their network of lifelong friends in Texas isn’t much of an answer, either. If they were all in Newport Beach, he’d still be gone half the time for 8 months of the year.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I noted your point on second-hand events.
Moving the kids to a new town/state is what happens when the average Daddy/Mommy gets a job elsewhere. A minimum of whining is allowable.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe one of those kids can play for us
so far, two generations of Olivers have had career seasons with the Angels. Let’s continue it.
Darren had a career ERA+ of 96 before he became an Angel. He’s got a 146 ERA+ mark WITH us (moving the career number to an even 100).
Bob, his dad, had a career OPS+ of 92 with all other teams. It was 109 with us (again, moving the career number to an even 100).
The Olivers: average everywhere, except as Angels.
Get that lefty kid of his a contract already!
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 4, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
that would be awesome
have 3 generations come through the franchise. That would be sweet.
Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.
by princeton11loveshalos on Nov 4, 2009 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't this what mothers are for?
We are the Los Angeles Angels of the late 2000s
by Higz on Nov 4, 2009 12:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
INCOMING!!!
I wonder what John Lackey must think about how long Sosh left Juan Rivera in the playoff lineup?
by Stirrups on Nov 4, 2009 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
just asking for trouble
Aybar is a nowhere man, Sitting in his Nowhere Land, Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.
by princeton11loveshalos on Nov 4, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You rang?
I’ve been that mother twice, for about a year each time. Both times it was because of disasters, one financial and one illness, and I (we) coped and the kids were fine. Mostly.
Financially my experience does not match that of the Olivers or even come close, which is why I’m a bit sanguine about their ability to cope with fatherhood at a distance. If we’d had the kind of bucks they do we wouldn’t have had the long-distance marriage either time.
Honestly, I have mixed emotions about this discussion. Most men (and women) do not retire as millionaires at the age of 39. Most men with children that age are not home all day, and these days neither are most women; heck, my husband’s commute right now would mean that kids that young would be lucky to spend an hour with Dad before being sent to bed.
I can’t know that two more years making money playing for the Angels is going to be a bad thing for the family; he should do what is right for him and them, and we can’t possibly know what that is.
Our youngest was born when I was 32 and my husband was 35.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 4, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I live in the South
The squeeze them out when mom is young out here.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The South? Way down in San Clemente?
I wonder what John Lackey must think about how long Sosh left Juan Rivera in the playoff lineup?
by Stirrups on Nov 4, 2009 8:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
+100
We had our first when I was 20; I live in Anaheim so I guess that’s the North. .
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 12:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
In the South where the man says to you, “I want you to meet my wife and sister,” and there is only one woman standing there.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 5, 2009 3:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
L.O.L
"Figgins' OBP is still over 40!" -Steve Physioc
by Figgi4life on Nov 5, 2009 7:48 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
... Alabama?
I’m cranky today, don’t mind me.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If two people get married in Arkansas and divorced in Tennessee, are they still brother and sister?
Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch
by red floyd on Nov 5, 2009 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure.
But the holidays are screwed
Nick would be proud.
by halofan4life on Nov 5, 2009 11:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope all ball players retire, to be with their children.
Because its what i want, and that is what matters most.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Nov 4, 2009 7:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
That pegged the sarcasm detector
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Nov 4, 2009 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!!!
Bless your black little heart.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 12:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Stirrups.
Those boys are old enough for him to ask their opinions about it. If they aren’t absolutely opposed to him still playing, he should do it. I guess the only other question would be if he still loves it or not. I personally love to do the things I’m good at. Oliver is good at baseball, so if he’s anything like me, he still loves it.
No matter what happens from here on, it has been a great season.
by Rally Manatee on Nov 5, 2009 12:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention that if he retires in two years, the kids are still pretty young.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
... I'm sorry, moving the family when Daddy/Mommy gets a job elsewhere is what happens in the average family.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This was supposed to post up above. I don't know why it's down here.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
by opiejeanne on Nov 5, 2009 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's a bizz
ef the kidz.
Boras says hello.
by Funke5ive on Nov 5, 2009 8:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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