St. LOUIS -- What does anybody do after finding out they no longer have a job? Dust off the old resume, of course. And that's exactly what relief pitcher John Axford did when he became a free agent. Well, kind of.
Set to hit arbitration seeking closer money for a reliever role, Axford wasn't offered a contract by the St. Louis Cardinals. Sad story, but it happens in baseball with multi-million dollar contracts on the line. Business is business, but it appeared as though the reliever was ready for the announcement before it was actually made on Monday night.
Lucky for Axford, he got a little help from his Twitter followers, who were more than happy to help point out some of his more desirable skills and offer suggestions throughout the process.
@JohnAxford I hope you stay in St Louis. I'd be willing to pay you in friendship, hugs, and quesadillas
— Travis White (@twhite088) December 2, 2013
Yes, & "Community Involvement" & "Loves" RT: @bradweimer: @JohnAxford where does your movie knowledge fall on the resume? Additional skills?
— John Axford (@JohnAxford) December 2, 2013
@JohnAxford Your resume should day "Have mustache, tall socks and brings the heat" References can be provided...
— David Palmer (@adjkp25) December 2, 2013
@JohnAxford Do you have interest in pitching for the Chicago Cubs?
— WorldSeriesDreaming (@WSDreaming_Cubs) December 2, 2013
@JohnAxford Good news: My company is hiring. Bad news: We are based in Nashville, not St. Louis. How are your Excel skills?
— Matt Reaves (@TherealReavus) December 2, 2013
@JohnAxford do MLB players have resumes? I thought you guys had the backs of baseball cards…
— Daniel Jones (@BentonParkPrint) December 2, 2013
@JohnAxford Toronto needs a mayor eh
— Tad Nugent (@stanmusial95) December 2, 2013
What followed was the eventual announcement of St. Louis not picking up his contract, meaning the former closer did, in fact, need to give his resume a quick touch up.
And, once again, more help from his Tweeple.
Only if I can choose the t-shirts! RT: @ChrisRose: @JohnAxford if no one call @IntentionalTalk softball team could use some help. #justsayin
— John Axford (@JohnAxford) December 3, 2013
@JohnAxford You could always stay a Cardinal and pitch for your hometown IBL team!
— Hamilton Cardinals (@HamCardinalsIBL) December 3, 2013
Of course, one fan was worried about the camel costumes he brought to St. Louis.
Ya...all 4 actually stayed! RT: @dbruner4: Does the camel costume stay in STL @JohnAxford ?
— John Axford (@JohnAxford) December 3, 2013
As far as his baseball attributes go, Axford has plenty of options for the new resume. He went a combined 7-7 with a 4.45 ERA with Milwaukee and St. Louis last season, but he was 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA after the Cardinals acquired him in a late-August trade. He also made six appearances in the postseason, allowing a single run over 5 2/3 innings including nine strikeouts.
