Remembering Royals Pitcher Al Fitzmorris 

Al Fitzmorris, a name that might not ring a bell for younger fans, passed away recently. This sparks a larger conversation about the unsung heroes of baseball. Fitzmorris was a workhorse for the Royals in the 70s, a key part of their first playoff run. Yet, he was left off the ALCS roster. How do we reconcile a player's contributions with seemingly arbitrary decisions that impact their legacy? Does a lack of postseason glory diminish a career like Fitzmorris'? What defines a successful baseball career? Wins, ERA, championships, or something more intangible? Let's discuss the players who deserve more recognition and how we measure success in this sport. Beyond statistics, what truly makes a player memorable? This generation of pitchers will likely never approach Fitzmorris’ 432 innings pitched in two years. Is that an indictment of modern pitching philosophies, or a necessary evolution of the game?