Brandon McCarthy jersey :: Mark Cunningham/Getty
Sept. 5 is my birthday, and two of my sisters took me to that day's A's game against the Angels this season for my gift. When the Angels used a workmanlike performance to win 7-1, sweep a three-game series and crawl within 2 1/2 games of the Athletics' position in one of the two wild card spots, it was a low point of the second half. Admittedly, I wondered aloud more than once that day as the A's looked lethargic and tired if what was then a surprising and cute run was about to fade away rapidly Pittsburgh Pirates style.
Looking back, I've never been happier to be proven so dreadfully wrong. But it wasn't just the loss nor the sweep that day the tiny announced crowd of 15,404 -even on $2 Wednesday!- was most concerned about. Consider it a blessing that I didn't see the live-action moment when Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy took a line drive to his forehead off the bat of Angels' shortstop Erick Aybar (if anyone missed it this is McCarthy's wonderfully crafted account of what he went through via Sports Illustrated).
By chance, it was that half-inning when I decided to make a concession stand run. Believe it or not, there was still a line even with so many empty seats, so by the time I got back to our seats after grabbing a beer and one of the worst "carnitas" sandwiches of all time (there are far better concessions options at the O.Co, but it seemed like a good idea at the time). Anyway, I did hear the faint "oooh"from the crowd at the time of the incident, but facing away from the field I thought nothing of it until I returned to a dead silent ballpark and a congregation of A's players and staff surrounding a seated and dazed McCarthy. My sisters couldn't really explain what happened and honestly I didn't know everything until reading updates on my IPhone after the game.
It was clear McCarthy was going to be done for the season and unavailable for the playoffs. But most concerning was his long-term health. He underwent emergency brain surgery after A's trainer Nick Paparesta had deemed his injured pitcher's status as "absolutely life threatening". But we all know now McCarthy is on his way to a full recovery, at least physically. Mentally, how he will handle taking the mound again won't be determined for a while. Still, even though he signed with another team, every A's fan should wish McCarthy well and frankly root openly for him as he moves to the National League's Arizona Diamondbacks.
Going to the Snakes made sense for both McCarthy to go -he signed for a two-year deal worth $15.5 million provided he passes a physical- and the Athletics to not try and match when that money can be used elsewhere for bigger needs (see Drew, Stephen, as that's the business of pro sports). A budding rotation looks almost set after starters Brett Anderson, Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone and probably A.J. Griffin seem like no-brainers. Dan Straily can't be dismissed for a spot; talented minor-leaguers Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole and Sonny Gray are on the waiting list; and Oakland also showed faith and loyalty in re-signing formerly PED suspended Bartolo Colon to a one-year and cost-friendly $3 million deal as insurance. Colon gives a talented but still relatively young staff a veteran presence. For a team that just won't spend a ton of money, Colon is a smarter option to bring him back for a significant amount less than trying to keep up with the money McCarthy is getting in Phoenix.
Granted, even without the line-drive misfortune McCarthy had been prone to injuries and disabled list stints. Still, he will be missed on the field since he was a solid starter for the A's, and not to mention missed on the Internet. Thanks to his dry sense of humor I totally appreciate, McCarthy is one of the few personalities even a Twitter neophyte like myself makes a point of periodically checking his feed. @BMcCarthy32 rarely disappoints. Ditto the sense of humor of @Mrs_McCarthy32. There are plenty of beautiful wives and girlfriends out there like Amanda McCarthy, and I've interviewed plenty of famous sports athletes and coaches, so I'm not usually fazed when I do see a celebrity in person. But I can't think of a sports couple I'd rather have a beer or cocktail with than Brandon and Amanda McCarthy.
Best of luck to the McCarthy's in Arizona.
No comments:
Post a Comment