The Bowling Green Hot Rods didn't lose hope.
Despite a losing streak that stretched on for two weeks, the Hot Rods, Midwest League affiliate of the the Tampa Bay Rays, stayed upbeat because, well, that's what they have to do. Losing streaks, like winning streaks, come and they go.
What Darryl George and his teammates did made all the difference mentally, if not on the field.
"You're going to have those tough stretches. The fact that we stayed competitive everyday, even though we were losing, kept morale from getting too low," George said Friday. "We were always in the game. We did our best and you have to have that short memory in baseball."
George is coming off an outstanding season with the Hudson Valley Renegades, of the New York Penn League (short season). In 61 games (a career-high) he hit .286 with 65 hits, 18 RBI, and 77 total bases. He finished the season being named by the Rays as Hudson Valley Renegades Team MVP. [Read my 2013 FanGraphs report on George http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/renegades-darryl-george-strong-finish-at-the-plate/
The Aussie spent the off-season building on that success and improving his swing, while playing winter ball with the Melbourne Aces.
"I made a couple of adjustments. I'm using the whole field more, staying through the zone longer. This year my power is slightly better. I'm able to hit both sides of the plate. I'm getting more off-speed pitches in this league, which I'm not used to. But I'm hitting good and feeling comfortable."
So far this season George is hitting .317 with 13 hits, putting together a five-game streak in April with 10 in that span.
His success and focus are a product of an unwavering drive. He points out that he's probably not the highest ranked Rays prospect, but that doesn't deter him. Exactly the opposite.
"I have that underdog mentality. I'm overlooked a little bit, but that's fuel for the fire. I hustle as much as I can. I've set goals for myself for this season. I want to be a premium defender, be consistent, and play as many positions as I can."
Signed by the Rays as a non-drafted Free Agent in 2010, George has cultivated an attitude that has served him well. Pushing himself is the daily goal.
"When I walk off the field, I want to have the dirtiest jersey."
You can follow Darryl George on Twitter @DarrylRoyGeorge & on Instagram @DGEORGE14
Ready my continuing coverage of Rays Triple-A Durham Bulls for Minor League Ball, as well as league-wide coverage there and here all season. Last year's Hudson Valley coverage can be found in links below.