Andruw Jones was once one of the most electric players in the game of baseball. Now, he’s lucky to still have a job.
That reality, however, apparently hasn’t set in for the 34-year-old outfielder.
Jones was in the starting lineup for the Yankees on Monday night in place of Brett Gardner, and with his RBI single in the first inning, it proved to be a wise decision by manager Joe Girardi. It was what Jones did in his second AB, however, that was more embarrassing than anything else.
Jones hit a grounder to Reds third baseman Scott Rolen, who charged the slow chopper and had to throw over the head of Robinson Cano to retire Russell Martin at second base. Brandon Phillips caught Rolen’s throw, leapt in the air to avoid Martin’s slide, firmly planted both feet in the dirt and calmly threw out Jones at first base … by about four steps.
Had Jones been moving at all down the line, he’d have easily kept the inning alive for the Yanks.
But fear not, Andruw Jones fans, because the veteran was not short on excuses after the 5-3 win.
“I just rolled [my ankle] a little bit,” Jones said, according to MLB.com. “I’ve rolled it a bunch of times, playing basketball and stuff like that. Right when I first moved, I kind of took it easy and made sure everything was OK.”
Everything, of course, was OK, as Jones stayed in the game through the top of the seventh inning. He actually showed no issues with his ankle until after he crossed first base. Still, he made sure to get the trainer’s attention before he heroically gutted it out to head back out to the outfield. Not the first time a Yankee has faked an injury and gotten the trainer’s attention, and probably not the last. I’m just impressed he remembered which ankle he “rolled” when the trainer came out to check on him.
Photo of the day
Do you buy Andruw Jones’ excuse, or was the guy just dogging it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Quote of the day
“I know one thing, I’ll be dead by then.”
–Terry Francona, when asked for his thoughts on Jack McKeon returning to manage the Marlins at age 80
Tweet of the day
Great idea.
Video of the day
Hey, you fell over, but at least you had the cool motorcycle suit on. When you wear that thing around town, nobody will know you’re the guy who wiped out taking a standard left turn.
