Coolray Field, home of the AAA Gwinnett Stripers, was just thirty-five minutes from Truist Park, but to Tommy it might as well have been in the Pacific time zone. He and his career were tossed back in time.
Instead of facing the Dodgers, Mets, and Cardinals, he was now pitching against the Durham Bulls, the Norfolk Tides, and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
As with most major-league ballplayers, a drop to the minor leagues brought with it a hard dose of humility. Back to bus rides and carrying your own bags. Say goodbye to charter flights, luxury hotels, and room service.
At least one player benefited from the move. In a weird case of karma, Hector Ramirez, the pitcher originally sent down to Gwinnett when Tommy was called up, rejoined the Atlanta Braves.
When Tommy joined the Stripers,
