Poise beneath strain and the power to rapidly diagnose a play are hallmarks of a fantastic MLB catcher. On Monday night time Mike Zunino helped file probably the most legendary out of the season by firing a pinpoint correct throw to second — proper into the nuts of Akil Baddoo.
Whether or not this was “proper place, proper time” or “fallacious place, fallacious time” is all a matter of perspective. Baddoo was making an attempt to steal second, and the penalty for this in Cleveland is getting hit within the nuts. Zunino didn’t make the rule, he simply enforced it.
Naturally we will’t throw shade on the facility of a testicular contusion that brought on Baddoo to break down in a heap, permitting for the straightforward out right here. Personally, I wouldn’t have moved for 2 innings. They might have wanted to convey out the stretcher and carry me off the sphere after taking a throw like this to the beans. That’s simply having a strong understanding of my physique’s limitations.
The Guardians could have misplaced 6-2 on Monday, however they’ve a reminiscence that can final a lifetime: Somebody being hit within the junk.
