The History of the Future:  Walt Hoedecker Retires from Major League Baseball

April 14, 2046:  Barely two weeks into the new season, 24 year old baseball phenom Walt Hoedecker announced his retirement.  This would’ve been Walt’s second season as a major leaguer.  In the 2045 season, Walt, playing second base, committed an unprecedented 256 errors.  However, in what one teammate called, “Damn weird,” every error that Walt made resulted directly in an out, usually by ricocheting off of his head and into another fielder’s glove.  Walt also set major league records in being hit by a pitch (both season and career, 312), and, consequently, the most times being replaced by a pinch runner (64).  Every time Walt came to the plate he was beaned.  As well, Walt holds records in reaching base on consecutive appearances (312), on base percentage (1.00), and most times on the disabled list (18).  Asked why, after only one year, he chose to retire, Hoedecker’s only comment was, “Dear God!  Do you think I’m doing this on purpose?”