Corey Kluber, Indians Wear High Socks To Salute Justin Masterson After Trade

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson was the opening day starter for the Cleveland Indians this year, but things quickly plummeted from there.

The 29-year old sinkerballer went 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. The Indians received outfield prospect James Ramsey in return.

The trade didn’t stop his former teammates in Cleveland from honoring the hurler, though, as the Indians donned high socks to salute Masterson on Wednesday night against the Seattle Mariners.

Masterson has worn high socks since he made his debut with the Red Sox back in 2008.

Corey Kluber, who will replace Masterson atop Terry Francona’s rotation in Cleveland, threw a complete-game shutout, out-dueling Seattle ace Felix Hernandez in the 3-0 win.

“I probably learned more from him than I’ll ever know,” Kluber said about Masterson after the game. “He was a big part of me learning how to be a big leaguer, how to pitch up here. Stuff like that. Hopefully, I can pass along some of the information he’s given me.”

Kluber says he almost didn’t get the memo about wearing high socks in time for his start.

“No one let me know about it so I had to run up here and change after I warmed up,” Kluber said. “I didn’t want to be the only one with them down. It was a little late notice.”

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