The assumption that life is simple, and the improbable doesn't happen

Flame Between Renders
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One of the big frustrations of software (and websites), in particularly drop-downs and forms is the apparent assumption that life is predictable and categorizable according to the simplistic view of the world by a software engineer (with limited cultural, geographic, and other diversities). Not trying to offend anyone here, I used to be one. Our job was modeling problems, so we can solve them. And modeling means, trying to fit everything into neat 0s and 1s.

But the world is more diverse, and the most unusual things do happen.

Yes, social security numbers (for those in the US), are not guaranteed to be unique and make a poor primary key in a database, despite what you might think. I’ve seen it first hand and had to help fix it.

Add to this the newest twist: Could you imagine an MLB catcher to play both sides of the game at once? WTF - that’s treason, right.

Well, life is more complex. What if the catcher plays the game for team A. And then due to weather the game gets suspended. And before the game gets resumed he gets traded to the other team, and then can indeed finish the game for the other side, totally logically and legally.

Life does not fit into a dropdown. And yes, you can add ‘Other’. Still doesn’t help.

To wit: MLB: Danny Jansen becomes first player to play for both teams in one game - BBC Sport

Life is beautiful. Embrace the diversity. And fear the dropdown.

Cheers!

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@allklier it’s a truly bizarre situation.

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Even more bizarre; He was the player at bat and had 2 strikes on him when the game was called. If the pinch hitter had struck out (I didn’t see the game) the player in question would have been credited not only with having struck out, but as catcher on the new team, he would have been credited with a put out. It would have been the only time in baseball history that a player would be credited with putting himself out. As James Thurber would say, “You could look it up.”

Edit: Slight correction. Jansen didn’t have two strikes on him when the came was called, so even though Varshon struck out, the K went on Varshon’s record and not Jansen’s, and thus Jansen was not credited with a put out on himself. Maybe next time.

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