WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Joey Meneses walked into the Nationals’ clubhouse at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and couldn’t help but be in awe of his new surroundings.
He may own a .324 career batting average, .563 career slugging percentage and .930 career OPS, but this – believe it or not – is the first time Meneses has ever been invited to big league spring training.
“Kind of weird, because it’s a little different to be treated so well,” the 30-year-old slugger said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. “I’m not a minor leaguer.”
No, he most definitely is not. And if he has anything to say about it, he never will be one again.
Meneses’ story has become well known to anyone who follows the Nationals, but it bears revisiting because it’s so unconventional and so uplifting.