Call-ups--even the cocky ones--deserve a break.(Closer)

When September approaches, players find themselves in one of two places. One place is good: Your team still is in it. The other place is not as good: You say you're still in it, but you're out of it. You've played as hard as you can, but things just didn't go your way.

So players and organizations in this mode try to find a way to build for next year. I think this is why September call-ups were introduced.

September call-ups are one of the unspoiled beauties of the big business of the major leagues. After a long season, the organization decides which minor league guys it wants to Promote. They usually fall in one of two categories: those in the team's long-term plans and those who have earned a shot in the show with their play.

The teams that are out of it can put a young guy out there, and if he struggles and the team loses, it's not the end of the world. This is one area in which the non-contenders have an advantage. When a team still is in the hunt, the call-up does a lot of watching. But that's important, too. The call-up might not be on the field, but he's around veteran big-leaguers. The veterans can show him how to carry himself on and off the field. When the game starts, the call-up has a front-row seat. Hopefully, he'll learn that this game is more intense than it was where he was at for the past five months.

For the most part, call-ups are about the same. They walk through those clubhouse doors ...