New Orleans, LA, January 31, 2042 –

Nobody really knew the guy when he showed up with a signing bonus of 1.9 million dollars out of Argentina. The Fargo Dinosaurs had gotten word from an overseas scout that this guy, was somebody they should invest in, so they did. He didn’t show much promise early on. He was a power bat, but only when he could actually put the bat on the ball. Scouts, and obviously the Fargo Dinosaurs, like his raw power and hoped the rest would come along at some point. Fargo gave it three years where he would show flashes but did not display and sign that he was, or would be ready for PEBA pitching. Fargo eventually dealt him to the West Virginia Alleghenies where he continued to languish in the minors, despite starting to display some maturation at the plate and producing gaudy numbers at AA and AAA. The now 24-year-old had been a professional ball player for eight years, but was in the unenviable position of being part of the Alleghenies when Francisco “Cool Hand” Lucador was dominating first base and going to numerous All-Star games. After four seasons, the Alleghenies pretty much dumped him on the Okinawa Shisa along with a bag of old batting practice baseballs.

At least with Okinawa he got a couple cups of coffee in the big leagues. He made his major league debut in 2037, tallying 100 at bats, but managing only 18 hits for a .180 average and the next year just nine at bats, mostly as a pinch hitter. Munoz’s confidence was shot and when he got the call in the middle of the season that he had been traded yet again, this time to the New Orleans Trendsetters, he seriously considered retiring and returning to Argentina. By this time he had been a professional ball player for eleven seasons and had little to show for it. By this time, he was 27 and more suspect than prospect. His wife convinced him to give it another try and that as long as New Orleans kept him on the 40-man, the dream was still alive.

That is how 1B, Manuel Munoz came to New Orleans. The 6’6”, nicknamed “Mighty Mouse” for his power at the plate and a jibe at his enormous frame was now wearing the purple and gold. The Trendsetters had been looking for a big bat that could produce more power than starter John Lightbody who had hit all of one home run in 2039. Munoz didn’t mightily impress in 2039, but a new workout program consisting of 12 oz. curls, laying on a yoga mat and doing back stretches on a fishing boat paid off. In 2040, Munoz got the nod as the starting 1B out of Spring training and produced a solid .248 average with 24 home runs and 85 RBI. Was this the power corner infielder the Trendsetters had been waiting for? In 2041, Munoz put it all together. He hit .285 with a team high 24 RBI and 98 RBI. Not only that he managed to win the All-Leather Award for first base in the post season. Munoz was rewarded with a three million dollar plus one year extension to avoid arbitration in November and is already pencilied in as the starting 1B for the 2042 season. Hopefully there will be a 30 homer, 100 RBI season in his future. Through it all “Might Mouse will just continue to work hard and keep his body in shape as he comes up on 30 years old.  Trendies everywhere have been keeping their eyes mainly locked on the farm system, but many eyes are beginning toi take note of the quiet Argentinian who says little, but does a lot. Here he comes to save the day! Manuel “Mighty Mouse” Munoz is on the way!.