There are two elements of every contract. Those elements are the total amount of money, and the total amount of time. Taken together, those elements combined to reveal a contract that is either very lucrative or not. For example, a $15 million contract may seem out of the ordinary unless it is a $15 million contract spread over 15 years. Time changes things.
Cory Phalen seemed to have time on his side. The undrafted free agent signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor-league contract at the age of 18, with a promise that as he grew into his body, his fastball would also grow with him. In 9 2/3 innings of relief in the Florida complex league he allowed only one run. Time was changing things.
In April 2021. Cory was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and started a fight for his life. During the time of his treatment, he relied strongly on his faith and his family, and had the support of the Philadelphia Phillies, even visiting the team when they played the New York Mets. He couldn’t wait to get back out on the field. Time would change things.
Cory passed away on October 12, 2022 at the age of 20. Continuing to place his trust in God, he would say, “God has me.” The card distributed at his wake had this quote from him: “I hope no one has to go through what I have been through to see how beautiful life is, but I hope everyone is able to see how beautiful life is the way I see it.”
We cover a lot of contracts at Swing Badder. Most of them cram a lot of money into a contract and it’s questionable if the value is ever there.
This contract carried a lifetime.
The Phillies finished the regular season in third place. They are playing the Padres for the National League Championship.
Time changes things.
I hope they are able to see how beautiful life is, the way Corey did. How beautiful the game of baseball is.