Giants' Cabbage Struggles After Return to First Team
Listen to the story
Cabbage, a player for the Yomiuri Giants, has returned to the team's first team after time in the minor leagues.
This move is often called a promotion, since it means moving up from the lower-level squad.
As soon as he rejoined the team, Cabbage was given a starting lineup spot.
However, his return did not go well. He struck out three times in the game.
According to another report, he actually struck out five times in a row across two separate games.
Cabbage batted in the number-two spot, an important position in the batting order.
Even when the team created good scoring chances, he was unable to deliver a useful hit.
This lack of results is being seen as a slump, a period when a player performs badly.
Meanwhile, the Giants lost their third straight game, adding to the team's troubles.
Because of his poor form, some reports are now questioning whether Cabbage will get a contract extension for next season.
A contract extension would mean the team agrees to keep him for another year.
At this point, it is still unclear what decision the Giants will make.
Fans and sports writers in Japan are closely watching how Cabbage performs in the coming games, since his future with the team may depend on it.
Vocabulary6 words
- first team
- the main, top-level team
- promotion
- moving up to a higher level
- starting lineup
- the group of players who begin the game
- slump
- a period of playing badly
- contract extension
- an agreement to keep working longer
- batting order
- the order in which players hit the ball
Quiz
Answer key
1. He was given a starting lineup spot 2. — 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Cabbage, a player for the Yomiuri Giants, has returned to the team's _____ team after time in the minor leagues.
This move is often called a _____, since it means moving up from the lower-level squad.
As soon as he rejoined the team, Cabbage was given a starting _____ spot.
However, his return did not go well. He struck out three times in the _____.
According to another report, he actually struck out five times in a row across two separate _____.
Cabbage batted in the number-two spot, an important position in the batting _____.
This lack of results is being seen as a _____, a period when a player performs badly.
Meanwhile, the Giants lost their third straight _____, adding to the team's troubles.
Because of his poor form, some reports are now questioning whether Cabbage will get a contract _____ for next season.
At this point, it is still _____ what decision the Giants will make.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a player's performance right after a promotion matters so much to fans and reporters?
- Do you think a few bad games should affect a player's contract for next season? Why or why not?
- How might pressure affect a player's performance when he returns to the top team?
- What would you want to know before deciding whether to keep or release a struggling player?