Manny Happy Returns

I was delighted be on hand to see Manny Banuelos as the White Sox starting pitcher Monday night at Camden Yards.

Eight years ago, he won the James P. Dawson Award as the Yankees top rookie in spring training, and looked like he was in line for stardom.

But as John Lennon -- whom I understand took a liking to baseball while living in New York -- famously said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Instead of being "the next Guidry," it was a struggle to overcome injuries and ineffectiveness as Manny moved onto the Braves, Angels and Dodgers organizations. Now in 2019, the lefthander may have found a home in Chicago.

Monday night's line was four innings of shutout ball with four strikeouts, a walk and five hits allowed. Not stellar, but effective enough. Once the ChiSox scored four times in the top of the 5th, manager Rick Renteria went to the bullpen, leaving Banuelos with a no-decision.

But for a pitcher once rated a top prospect, it's nice to see him make the show and, more vitally, contribute to a team on the rise.

Check out my 2014 post on Manny Banuelos by clicking here.

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