The moment was truly special — no matter what team has your allegiance — because it was a reminder that the greatest exits are reserved for those who set forth virtues that are larger than life. These moments are rare, because men who play the game the “right way,” as Cal Ripken did, or exhibit the bravery of a Lou Gehrig, don’t come along often. And then the ball drops out of his hand. Kenny came to the realization that he didn’t love the game — he loved April. That’s why he made the comeback attempt, that’s why he left her at the gas station, that’s why he whispers “April’s tits” before burning a life-changing fastball in Mexico. Not many men can walk off the field. Usually the game has to be taken from them. It wasn’t the satisfying ending for the controversial figure that fans wanted but it was the happy ending that Kenny, a re-born family man, deserved. Lost in last night’s Breaking Bad euphoria was the beginning of the end for HBO’s closer, Kenny Powers. He’s been overlooked and underappreciated before but going up against arguably one of the greatest shows of all time was almost a poetic reminder that Kenny’s final chapter is one where he must accept the inevitable — seamlessly transitioning into private life with the grace of a Mariano Rivera. After faking his own death, he returned at his own funeral and married the love of his life. It’s clear that Kenny has moved on from baseball and accepted it. Old Kenny is no more. He’s now a caring father and it’s a welcome and beautiful sight, seeing a man who has ditched his former ways. “The only drug I get fucked up on is my wife and kids and I get fucked up on them every single night,” he proudly proclaims. This new, tamed Kenny is a departure from the character that busted onto the scene in 2009, but after 22 episodes, even Kenny without an edge or focus is compelling. You’d think Kenny’s badass, rebel without a cause act would have gotten old after chapter five but now at the start of the fourth season it’s become clear that Hill and McBride created a character you never want to see leave your screen. Last night we caught a glimpse of the man Kenny Powers could be. At some point, players have to grow up, move on and start the rest of their life. MLB Jesus, a parody Twitter account, put Mariano Rivera’s exit in the perfect context: “The best part of Mariano: As great as he has been, we all know in our hearts his best work is yet to come.” Eastbound and Down was already given the perfect ending after season three. Kenny walked off the field and put others before himself for once. Where a show like Breaking Bad, or a successful career in baseball is a finite endeavor, life goes on until someone or something takes you off this earth. The story of Kenny Powers doesn’t really end. There’s plenty of life left in the man with the iconic mullet. He knew when to walk away from the game and as Eastbound and Down takes its final curtain call it will slowly leave television as it lets the fans ponder what happens after the fame has reached its climax. Isn’t that what the great ones do?
