The way the game is going, middle relievers like myself are becoming more and more valuable.

In a movement that favors my current status, starting pitchers are lucky to go six innings and a complete game is a complete aberration.

It’s like a public works employee in a city looking to be on the up and up.

I’m not talking about major metropolises like Miami or Seattle; I’m referring to the smaller cities/suburbs just outside that location.

The ones striving to attract bright-eyes Millennials, young couples and newlyweds ready to produce some seeds; these cities need what any First World community craves…

Dog parks, premium grocery stores and paved sidewalks.

While the first two are obvious and self-explanatory; the last one speaks to the multitude of runners that wake up with dreams of beating their best 5K time.

For those that dream of losing 5 pounds (or maybe 15) or that one day their pet will truly show how all their attention and focus was worth it.

For those that dream the child wobbling before them will be the next (enter high-paid profession here); that the stroller they push is filled with the next elementary honor student, the next middle school speeding bee champion, the next major league middle reliever.

But a bump in the sidewalk could curtail those dreams.

So that’s why public works employees that can pave sidewalks have job security. Those that can install and service HVAC units, plumb pipes and ensure electricity have job security.

And isn’t that what’s important when we’re thinking about the children?