The United States Navy has done Charlie Connolly wrong, just as it has to so many other former Navy baseball players over the years.
Connolly had a simple and seemingly reasonable request. He wanted to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who selected the hard-throwing pitcher in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball draft last month.
Connolly made it clear to his superiors that he did not want to join the Dodgers organization in a playing capacity and that he intended to fulfill his service commitment after being commissioned as a surface warfare officer.