Barry Larkin is in his 14th year with the Reds. Yet he realizes how the game is played, off the field. Well I think for the fans it's probably not a good thing. People like to identify with the players and would like to make that association with that particular club. Unfortunately that's not the way it is.
Players are for hire.
There's not the loyalty from the players to the club or the club to the players. I could have played out my option I suppose in 1976 but for me it was very simple. All I had to do was worry about my job. I was surrounded by great players and because of that, I never wanted to leave. Another Cooperstown resident is Bob Gibson who pitched his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals.