Jeff Allison Gets Some Attention

As you know, we've been checking in on Jeff Allison here at The South Florida Fan. An unfortunate victim of pain-killers and poor personal choices, he finally seems to be on track for Single-A Jupiter. He endured a string of tough starts, but regained his form enough to qualify for the league's All-Star game. Way to go Jeff!

Last night, Peter Gammons made a point of mentioning Allison in connection with Josh Hamilton. Hamilton was a similar case, and his unlikely return to prominence serves as an inspiration for people like Allison. No matter how low things get, if you have the talent and can find a way to seek redemption, the possibilities are out there. For the sake of Jeff Allison and many others, I hope Josh Hamilton's story becomes the catalyst for many more.

We'll continue to update you on the Jeff Allison saga as it goes on.

Jeff Allison Update

You may recall how we at The South Florida Fan (TSFF) endorsed the comeback of Jeff Allison. You can read about it here.

Well, we haven't forgotten about him. His spirited attempt to straighten out his life has come with its share of pros and cons.

The good: He has been making regular starts with the Jupiter Hammerheads.

The bad: He hasn't been all that effective.

I'm not sure why he's struggling so much in Single A, but maybe it will take him some time to regain his confidence, maximize his talents. Let's break down his stats:

In 13 games, he has compiled a 3-6 record with a 4.75 ERA and a 35-34 K/BB ratio. His last four starts have been especially poor, as he surrendered 5, 4, 5, 6 earned runs respectively, the last in just 1 2/3 innings of work.

This is fairly disappointing, but don't be too alarmed. In all likelihood, he's developing lesser pitches, battling mental hurdles, and rediscovering his self confidence. Of course, I would prefer to see some better performances, but keep your hope alive. I know we're pulling for him.

Don't Give Up on Jeff Allison

It's easy to give up on a spoiled, would-be star after he single-handedly wrecks his own career three times, but I urge you to give Jeff Allison another chance.

At some point, our judgment should stop focusing on accountability. We know Jeff Allison made some horrendous personal choices, that he did little to endear himself to an organization that risked its back pocket for him, and that he could easily revert back to his old ways. Those are all givens.

The thing is, he's an enormous talent. As Future Fish eloquently explains, he just might be worth believing in again. I agree wholeheartedly, and I can't wait to see if this troubled kid can finally find his way to the majors.

One additional note: In Allison's defense, his addiction problems are not representative of weak character. It has been well documented that pain-killers can overwhelm even the most exemplary people. As human beings, let's hope he's permanently beyond Oxycontin and Heroine.