@CoachRyanKY
LEXINGTON- The Lexington Legends made the name change this season to draw fans back to Legends Field in Lexington. And it worked…. for a couple of games.
Nostalgia can only get you so far in the box office.
Lexingtonians are used to winners. Whether it be a thoroughbred storming to the finish line at Keeneland or the hometown Kentucky Wildcats emerging victorious in numerous athletic programs on a national scale, there is no doubt that this town loves their winners.
Just ask the new Arkansas Basketball Coach.
The Lexington Legends have played 42 games so far this season, and have won only 12 of those games (most of those wins taking place on the road). Not only have the Legends lost, they have been grossly uncompetitive. The reason comes down to player talent. The Legends are the only team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball with ZERO players that have made an appearance in the MLB.
As a child, I remember gracing the ball park to watch the likes of true Lexington LEGENDS. Names like: Hunter Pence, Jose Altuve, JD Martinez, or Roger Clemens. Of course, that is when the Legends were affiliated with MLB clubs (Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals in different respective stints).
As a young adult, I remember working at the ballpark. I was a member of the promotions team and was actually hit in the dairy-aire by Harper’s first professional Home Run in the Summer of 2011 when he played for the Hagerstown Suns of the South Atlantic League.
I love professional baseball in Lexington. It has been a large part of my childhood and young adult life. I’ve kept the bobbleheads, I’ve kept the hats, I’ve kept the posters, and I’ve held some wonderful memories. I want to see professional baseball succeed in Lexington. However, at this rate…it won’t. It is a tough watch to go watch a team struggle so greatly, making it very difficult to become invested in the team’s success.
So how does it get fixed?
Well I am not paid the big bucks to make that type of decision, but I would start looking at personnel.
It’s not personal, just personnel.
This is professional baseball, and professionals should not be immune from criticism just because they play baseball. When someone does not perform well in their profession, consequences must take place. Why should baseball be any different?
The answer? It shouldn’t.
I personally hope the Legends make the necessary changes to start playing winning baseball on the diamond, or the lack of attendance may be the final nail in the coffin for a team that has tried many different things since losing MLB affiliation.
Whatever it takes, it needs to happen sooner rather than later for professional baseball to ultimately remain in Lexington before it financially becomes untenable.
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