Cespedes Family BBQ on Twitter: "Always key to draft guys who can play"

CespedesBBQ: "Always key to draft guys who can play http://t.co/Sb7dJuPcPE"

 Found via Team Stream by Bleacher Report.

This is an early front-runner for tweet of the year, IMO. Simple, no-nonsense and a lot of common-sense. This is/should be the sixth tool. "Can he play?" We know there are quite a few so-called five-tool guys who fail to make it? Well, how can someone who has all the tool not make it? Because he can't play.

Remember this play?

1974 WS Gm2: Marshall picks off Washington in ninth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWb80Qz75bk

Herb Washington was going to create a new position in baseball to rival the DH. He was going to be the designated runner (DR). Charlie Finley, the A's owner was a maverick. Always thinking outside the box. Here, he out-thunk himself by not asking this simple question, "Can he play?"

from yourememberthat.com
http://www.yourememberthat.com/media/17684/Herb_Washington_Pickoff_-_1974_WS/#.VXbiX89Viko

In 1974 Oakland Athletics' owner Charlie Finley signed 22-year-old Herb Washington to an MBL contract. Washington's baseball experience was minimal, but he did hold the indoor world record in the 50-yard dash. Throughout the 1974 season, Washington never once batted or played a defensive position. His sole task was to pinch-run. He stole 29 bases in 45 attempts--which is not really a good success rate for a fast MLB baserunner. In Game #2 of the 1974 World Series, Washington was brought in to pinch-run for Joe Rudi in the top of the ninth inning with one out and the A's trailing the L.A. Dodgers 3-2. To the delight of baseball traditionalists who viewed Washington as an unqualified interloper, Mike Marshall decisively picked off Washington in front of a huge NBC television audience. Curt Gowdy and Vin Scully call the play. Washington's out effectively squelched an A's rally. (They had scored twice in the top of the ninth to make the game close.) The Dodgers won the game 3-2. Washington was cut by the A's in May 1975 and never played baseball again.

It's such a great question that needs to asked a lot throughout baseball. I use a derivative of the question a lot as an answer to questions I hear from around the ball field.

It is that great a question, it is so versatile, that it can serve as the answer to other questions.

Here are some examples:

• Q: Should I buy my son/daughter that new, expensive bat to help him/her make the team?
• A: It helps if he/she can play. 

See you have to change the order of the words around a little bit, but it works!!

• Q: Should I take my son/daughter for private lessons or that Olympic athlete workout facility to elevate his game?
• A: Umm....it helps if he/she can play.

Q: Cool......is this question/answer transferable to other areas of my life? Is this like a magic question or something? 

A: I'm picking up on your sarcasm there, Champ. But yes it is transferable. Listen up!!!

(Editor's Note: Best Q&A/sentence in blogging history. Why? Best comedy scenes of all time)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mSd5t2n3ck Tommy Boy - Picking up on you sarcasm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZkbtP-t_D8 My Cousin Vinny - Were these magic grits? 

• Q: My Boss doesn't respect me at work, should I take some college courses to improve my job skills?
• A: It helps if you can play.

• Q: My wife is thinking of leaving me, should I consider counseling to help save our marriage?
• A: It helps if you can play. 

I'm thinking of using this as an answer to every difficult life question thrown my way for the next thirty days, I think it's that good. 

Remember, boys and girls.....It helps if you can play!!