the.com/farm system
where talent gets seasoned before it's allowed to disappoint you at the highest level.
means a network of minor league or developmental teams that train young players until they're ready for the majors, or fail trying.
from baseball term from the 1930s, popularized by branch rickey's st. louis cardinals, who literally bought minor league teams to grow players like crops instead of bidding for finished ones.
rickey's motivecheaper to grow stars than buy them
beyond baseballnow describes tech, law firm, startup pipelines
triple-a stepone level below the majors, closest to arrival
failure ratemost prospects never make the show