Friday, April 29, 2011

Bulls' Hometown Alumni


I doubt most fans realize that very few Bulls players live in our community. After we won the 2009 Triple A National Championship in Oklahoma City, Durham's City Manager wanted to have a parade. I had to swallow hard and confess that the team wouldn't be returning to Durham, that they dispersed to their individual hometowns after the season-ending game.

That's the way it works in the Minors. It's a nomadic life until you land a Major League contract. Only then - as a Ray rather than a Bull - do you invest in a splendid crib on Tampa Bay.

Why do I draw attention to this? There is a great article in the April/May edition of Durham Magazine about two former Bulls who do, in fact, reside in the Bull City: Chris Richard who retired at the end of the 2010 season and Elliot Johnson who now plays for the Rays.

The article isn't on-line. You need to invest in a copy of the magazine...available at Parker & Otis, Regulator Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods Market, Sam's Quik Shop and Harris Teeter.

Meanwhile, check out the magazine's website and blog. You'll learn a lot about Durham.