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Felix Hernandez: Definition of a gamer
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What an unfortunate inning for the Mariners tonight in was in the fifth at Shea Stadium. Felix Hernandez, who already had hit a GRAND SLAM and was slamming the door on the mound, was involved in a home-plate incident in which he injured his ankle.
He limped around the infield with the coaches and medical staff surrounding him. He threw one cautionary pitch then grimaced in pain. That was enough for everyone to decide to send him to the trainer's room and the X-ray machine.
Then Hernandez did something marvelous. He put one finger up, asking for one more pitch. He didn't want to leave despite excruciating pain. He pleaded with manager Jim Riggleman to allow him to stay in. But, wisely, his evening was over.
Part of his logic I'm sure was that he wanted to somehow get one more out to finish the inning and thus become the pitcher of record (his team was leading 5-1 at the time). The other reason, most much reflective of who he is, is that he's a gamer. He doesn't ever want to leave unless he can't lift his arm anymore.
As Hernandez approached the dugout, the broadcast showed Erik Bedard watching Hernandez being helped off the field with someone under each arm. Bedard had missed starts already this season with hip issues, back issues and I'm-too-tired-to-throw-anymore issues.
Hey Erik, get a good look at Felix. That's what we call a gamer. That's a player. That's someone who earns his money, how ever millions fewer than you make. That's what it means to be man in this game. Nothing soft there, Erik. Who knows what condition his ankle is in, but he's willing to continue to pitch for himself, for his teammates and for this game.
This profession is not about collecting paychecks, Erik. It's about playing, it's about winning and it's about doing everything you can to stay on the field to help your team. There's a lesson here for you, Erik, presenting to you by a 22-year-old kid from Venezuela. He knows what American baseball is all about.
