Landon Donovan Unretires to Mexico

In the watershed baseball classic Ball Four, former pitcher Jim Bouton ended his book with this telling observation:

A ballplayer spends a good piece of his life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time.

For most, it's not about the money, either.

Whether it's the competitive lifestyle, the ego, or both, some athletes just can't let go.

Now, it's Landon Donovan's turn.

Dude came outta retirement in 2016 to have a second stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy. While he didn't embarrass himself there, he surely saw for himself that his time was past.

He shoulda been happy with helping the Galaxy to the MLS Cup in 2014.

Donovan's 35 now, and the field of play's gotta be looking larger than ever.

Still, no one's built a wall that can keep him off it yet, so he's now decided to sign with Mexico's Club León.

Allegedly, dude's doing this for the same reason he said he unretired to re-join the Galaxy. The club's banged up and needs warm bodies.

If that's all the higher the bar's gonna be, maybe he'll come outta this excursion alive.

There are worse gigs than having a good seat for the first half and then getting in a bit of a run in the second.

 

Los Panzas Verdes -- the Green Bellies, fitting the occasion, sorta -- have their sights set on the Clasura, where León's been drawn into Group 1.

Donovan's targeting the Tue 20 Feb match with Tapachula for his debut, tuning up for the knockout stage that follows.

For his sake, the hope is that doesn't happen literally.