Twins, Jax Affected by Defense Department Decision

[Seth Stohs]

Jax threw 7 shutout innings on Sunday for Cedar Rapids... Today, Jeff Johnson (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids) talked to Jax about the administration's decisions/rulings and how they effect him. Very interesting. 

 

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/professional/cedar-rapids-kernels/kernels-pitcher-griffin-jax-a-pro-baseball-player-only-while-on-leave-from-air-force-20170704

 

 

[jorgenswest]

I am not certain how this will play into the Twins requirement to put Jax on the 40 man roster. I guess he will have pitched a handful of games while on leave every summer. How many full seasons will the Twins see before making that decision?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I, for one, feel serving my country in the military is a higher calling than being paid money, even a lot of money, to play a sport. In our society, some feel differently. That's their right to feel that way. Most of us will agree that our military academies' sole purpose is to educate future officers in our military, a necessary and honorable goal. Let's talk about honor  for a moment. If a young person commits to play a sport and thereby get a free education ($50,000 to $300,000 or more) at a private or public university, in order to play that sport, then that student should study hard and play the sport to the best of his/her ability. That student athlete should not be allowed to come to college, voluntarily quit the sport, and still expect to have his/her college expenses paid for. That wouldn't be honest, would it.  If a young person commits to get a free education, room and board, plus monthly pay at a military academy ($400,000 or more), promising to serve 2-4 years ion the military upon graduation, then that student should do the best job he/she can do in college and then keep his/her oath and commitment and serve in the military for the time agreed upon when the oath was taken upon entering the military academy.This issue is clear to me. Duty, honor, country.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I am not certain how this will play into the Twins requirement to put Jax on the 40 man roster. I guess he will have pitched a handful of games while on leave every summer. How many full seasons will the Twins see before making that decision?

Perhaps zero.  As of now, Jax would be Rule 5 eligible after the 2019 season, which could be the same summer that his 2 year commitment expires.

 

Might be a silver lining for him?  He might have a good chance at a 40-man spot (if not a 25-man spot in Rule 5) for 2020, regardless of how well he adapts to pro ball.

 

He also got the full 3rd round slot bonus in 2016.  He probably wouldn't have had the leverage to be selected as high and given full slot had he been drafted in 2017 with the new rule in effect.  So he's still getting some benefit of the old rule, even if it's not on the field.

[Mr. Brooks]

I, for one, feel serving my country in the military is a higher calling than being paid money, even a lot of money, to play a sport. In our society, some feel differently. That's their right to feel that way. Most of us will agree that our military academies' sole purpose is to educate future officers in our military, a necessary and honorable goal. Let's talk about honor for a moment. If a young person commits to play a sport and thereby get a free education ($50,000 to $300,000 or more) at a private or public university, in order to play that sport, then that student should study hard and play the sport to the best of his/her ability. That student athlete should not be allowed to come to college, voluntarily quit the sport, and still expect to have his/her college expenses paid for. That wouldn't be honest, would it. If a young person commits to get a free education, room and board, plus monthly pay at a military academy ($400,000 or more), promising to serve 2-4 years ion the military upon graduation, then that student should do the best job he/she can do in college and then keep his/her oath and commitment and serve in the military for the time agreed upon when the oath was taken upon entering the military academy.This issue is clear to me. Duty, honor, country.

Well said.

[peterb18]

The difference is that a doctor or an IT officer has skills that help the military. How do the skills of a pro athlete help the military?

Even the athletes at the academies are trained like all of the other cadets, midshipmen,etc. They could major

in electrical engineering, accounting and other reputable majors. And they spend their summers training

In in their respective fields.....like a tank commander. So they are prepared for leadership whether an athlete

or not.

[AZTwin]

Jax is pitching today. Much ado about nothing?

[Rosterman]

Wasn't there another player in the Twins system that took time to enlist in the service? The Twins held his rights for x-amount of years. When he got out of the service the Twins still had him "officially" in their minor league system, and then they parted ways when he decided not to pursue baseball. 

 

I'm not sure if Jax plays part-time over the next few summers if this will effect his status of contract ownership with the Twins. Would be be better served NOT to play pro ball for his enlistment period, and then just come back to the Twins...possibly serving on an "inactive" list during that time?

 

Of course, just playing for 30 days a season for the next couple would put him on par, or probably better, than some pitchers currently in the organization - Zack Jones, Nick Burdi, Lewis Thorpe, for example.

 

So......

[Thrylos]

 

I, for one, feel serving my country in the military is a higher calling than being paid money, even a lot of money, to play a sport. In our society, some feel differently. That's their right to feel that way. Most of us will agree that our military academies' sole purpose is to educate future officers in our military, a necessary and honorable goal. Let's talk about honor  for a moment. If a young person commits to play a sport and thereby get a free education ($50,000 to $300,000 or more) at a private or public university, in order to play that sport, then that student should study hard and play the sport to the best of his/her ability. That student athlete should not be allowed to come to college, voluntarily quit the sport, and still expect to have his/her college expenses paid for. That wouldn't be honest, would it.  If a young person commits to get a free education, room and board, plus monthly pay at a military academy ($400,000 or more), promising to serve 2-4 years ion the military upon graduation, then that student should do the best job he/she can do in college and then keep his/her oath and commitment and serve in the military for the time agreed upon when the oath was taken upon entering the military academy.This issue is clear to me. Duty, honor, country.

 

That sounds fine and dandy, if the story ended there.  However, Jax accepted $645,600 by the Twins, committing to be a professional baseball player.   If indeed "Duty, honor, country" were his number one priority, he should had left that $ on the table and not signed, do his duty and then go out to be a baseball player.

 

Or return that $645K to the Twins and go his happy way.

 

There is a clear conflict here:  His heart is either in Air Force or Baseball.  Cannot have it both.  Unless his heart is in Air Force but loves baseball $$$$.   Which is what it appears like from here.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I agree with Thyrlos that the $ paid to Jax may be an issue. I would enjoy analyzing his contract with the Twins and his contract with the Air Force Academy in view of this interesting turn of events.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Jax's heart may be with baseball, but his a.. may belong to the US Air Force.

[Mr. Brooks]

That sounds fine and dandy, if the story ended there. However, Jax accepted $645,600 by the Twins, committing to be a professional baseball player. If indeed "Duty, honor, country" were his number one priority, he should had left that $ on the table and not signed, do his duty and then go out to be a baseball player.

 

Or return that $645K to the Twins and go his happy way.

 

There is a clear conflict here: His heart is either in Air Force or Baseball. Cannot have it both. Unless his heart is in Air Force but loves baseball $$$$. Which is what it appears like from here.

The Twins freely drafted him and signed him knowing this was possible.

Investments come with risk and the Twins decided this investment was worth that risk.

 

Jax shouldn't return any money, the error is on the Twins part.

[biggentleben]

 

The Twins freely drafted him and signed him knowing this was possible.
Investments come with risk and the Twins decided this investment was worth that risk.

Jax shouldn't return any money, the error is on the Twins part.

 

Exactly, the Braves have a couple guys like this in the system right now, one listed on an active roster and one not, and they just drafted another from a military academy who has future service to fulfill (though his is one year left). The team certainly should know this information going into the draft.

 

In the case of Jax, he would not have been there for the Twins to select in the 3rd if not for the uncertainty the team is currently experiencing, so this was part of the risk involved. Straight from the Baseball America report on him pre-draft:

 

 

Jax would be a sure bet to go in the top two or three rounds this year pending a decision by the Air Force regarding a possible deferral of his military commitment.

 

[Thrylos]

 

Jax shouldn't return any money, the error is on the Twins part.

 

Agreed.  What I am pointing out is his hypocrisy saying:

 

" I, for one, feel serving my country in the military is a higher calling than being paid money, even a lot of money, to play a sport."

 

Had believed that before the draft he should have left the $ on the table and not have signed

Had he changed his money and believes that after the draft, he should return the $ he was paid to "play a sport".

 

Of course it is the Twins' fault, but he is a hypocrite saying that he is beyond "$ for playing a game" with $645K in the pocket just for doing that.   He did not have to sign that contact that made him that $

[Otto von Ballpark]

Jax is pitching today. Much ado about nothing?

He is going to try pitching weekends. Thought it would be in Fort Myers, since his military work was going to be in Florida, but maybe he got a longer break here and was able to travel to Cedar Rapids?

[jimbo92107]

 

ah... makes more sense. 

 

Honestly, as a sports fan, I don't like it.  As a tax payer, it's the right call. 

The US military can't get by without the lethality of... Griffin Jax's curve ball?

[Mr. Brooks]

Agreed. What I am pointing out is his hypocrisy saying:

 

" I, for one, feel serving my country in the military is a higher calling than being paid money, even a lot of money, to play a sport."

 

Had believed that before the draft he should have left the $ on the table and not have signed

Had he changed his money and believes that after the draft, he should return the $ he was paid to "play a sport".

 

Of course it is the Twins' fault, but he is a hypocrite saying that he is beyond "$ for playing a game" with $645K in the pocket just for doing that. He did not have to sign that contact that made him that $

I wasn't aware that was a quote from Jax. I thought it was a twins daily posters words.

I've tried googling the quote, along with Jax name, but can't find it anywhere.

Can you direct me to where that was said?

 

If he did indeed say that, after taking the Twins money, then you are right.

[Thrylos]

 

I wasn't aware that was a quote from Jax. I thought it was a twins daily posters words.
I've tried googling the quote, along with Jax name, but can't find it anywhere.
Can you direct me to where that was said?

If he did indeed say that, after taking the Twins money, then you are right.

 

Wasn't that his direct quote from the article that Seth linked to?  (I did not bother to read it.)  I suspected so because it was in italics...

[Mr. Brooks]

Wasn't that his direct quote from the article that Seth linked to? (I did not bother to read it.) I suspected so because it was in italics...

That quote wasn't in the article anywhere.

[old nurse]

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/professional/cedar-rapids-kernels/kernels-pitcher-griffin-jax-a-pro-baseball-player-only-while-on-leave-from-air-force-20170704

 

“At first, I was heartbroken, obviously, to originally be told one thing and then have it turn around. Baseball has been my dream since I was a little kid. I was thinking that everything was going to work out, that I was going to be able to do both, have the best of both worlds. When I got told, I didn’t know what to think. I kind of shut down for maybe a week or two. My parents could notice a difference in me. But it’s fine now. I’m back playing the game I love. I’m not worrying about the bad things, I’m just focusing on baseball.”

 

 

 

 

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/183298302/twins-griffin-jax-hoping-to-make-mlb-history/

am grateful to the Minnesota Twins' organization for believing in me and allowing me to fulfill my dreams of serving my country and having the opportunity to play baseball at the highest level," Jax said. "I look forward to completing my education at the Air Force Academy this next year and exploring my options after graduation. I also want to thank my family and everyone at the Academy who has been so supportive throughout this process."

 

 

t doesn't sound like once upon a time Jax was gung ho military above all. If the unsourced quote is Jax it is about as politically CYA as you can get  because it would appear someone does not like pro athletes.

[old nurse]

The other quote seems like it is out of the Pat Tillman era of jingoism.

[Guest]

What's so special about baseball or other sports? I mean, I like baseball a lot, but my enjoyment will be the same whether or not Griffin Jax gets out of his military commitment. On the other hand, if the service academies develop a genius computer programmer, who could make $500K from Google, does he get out of his commitment so he can follow his dream? It doesn't sound like he would, which means that people think that only athletes should be able to get out of their commitments.

 

There are a limited number of spots in these schools, with the understanding that you will serve your country, at a cost to the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars per person. And these spots are competitive to get. If someone enrolls in the hope of being able to get out of his commitment if he has a shot at an athletic career ("but hey, if I'm not drafted, then I'll willingly serve"), another capable person who was willing to serve was denied an opportunity. The military doesn't need athletes; it needs soldiers and officers, and the ability to play pro sports has not been needed for millions of outstanding service members. Foreign powers and terrorists couldn't care less whether a U.S. soldier has a 95 MPH fastball.

 

Too bad for Jax, too bad for the Twins, but he may need to uphold his commitment. He wouldn't be the first soldier who found out that his requirements were going to be different from the recruiting brochure. Seems like a parting draft gift from the strategist who didn't think it was necessary to make an offer to the #2 overall draftee within time limits because he was going to let him focus on the College World Series.

[darin617]

So how many years until his military commitment is complete?

[Otto von Ballpark]

So how many years until his military commitment is complete?

2, I think.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

The US military can't get by without the lethality of... Griffin Jax's curve ball?

heh, no.

 

They gave him free tuition in exchange for service time. That is how these things work.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

What's so special about baseball or other sports? I mean, I like baseball a lot, but my enjoyment will be the same whether or not Griffin Jax gets out of his military commitment. On the other hand, if the service academies develop a genius computer programmer, who could make $500K from Google, does he get out of his commitment so he can follow his dream? It doesn't sound like he would, which means that people think that only athletes should be able to get out of their commitments.

There are a limited number of spots in these schools, with the understanding that you will serve your country, at a cost to the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars per person. And these spots are competitive to get. If someone enrolls in the hope of being able to get out of his commitment if he has a shot at an athletic career ("but hey, if I'm not drafted, then I'll willingly serve"), another capable person who was willing to serve was denied an opportunity. The military doesn't need athletes; it needs soldiers and officers, and the ability to play pro sports has not been needed for millions of outstanding service members. Foreign powers and terrorists couldn't care less whether a U.S. soldier has a 95 MPH fastball.

Too bad for Jax, too bad for the Twins, but he may need to uphold his commitment. He wouldn't be the first soldier who found out that his requirements were going to be different from the recruiting brochure. Seems like a parting draft gift from the strategist who didn't think it was necessary to make an offer to the #2 overall draftee within time limits because he was going to let him focus on the College World Series.

 

This sums it up well. I'm glad that that he's still trying to do both. Hopefully, he doesn't get sent overseas making that impossible.

[jimbo92107]

 

heh, no.

 

They gave him free tuition in exchange for service time. That is how these things work.

Having been in the military, I can assure you that how these things work is purely political. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Having been in the military, I can assure you that how these things work is purely political. 

and working in the DoD now, I'd agree.  The politics though is giving athletes preferential treatment, especially with tax payer dollars. I think Mattis was right here, as much as I'd like Jax in MN full time.