Kelly and Gardy were two geeks who couldn't play ball. Couldn't even make the bigs as banjo hitting utility men "who played the right way".
Rocco was the captain of the football team, prom king, superstar center fielder and 6th pick overall in the MLB draft. He could play ball and did rising quickly and finishing 3rd in rookie of the year. He also lead the American League in outfield assists, a great fielder too. He got unlucky with a rare medical condition, but his love for the game kept him in it as he again rose quickly to become the youngest manager in the league his first year.
Kelly and Gardy had some good runs. Kelly caught lightning in a bottle. We also endured some very lean years with these two. I like Rocco and think when we look back on him it will be with the same reverence as Kelly and Gardy. All the negative voices of the present will fade to the background as these voices always do when their predictions of doom don't materialize. Quietly fade into the background amidst the celebrations, lying in wait for the next slip up to pounce and warn others of the new impending doom.
🤣