We have passed the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline! The week leading up to the deadline is always chaotic, and this year was no different. We saw the Mariners’ clubhouse explode after closer Kendall Graveman was dealt to the rival Astros. Then the team picked up starter Tyler Anderson after his trade from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia fell through. The Padres acquired Max Scherzer — only for the deal to fall apart and the rival Dodgers to scoop up both Scherzer and all-star Trea Turner. Javier Baez mocked Amir Garrett and then was traded to the team that was starting a series with the Reds. All of these were great moments of the week. But the real winner of the Sunday Shenanigans 17 title goes to a moment that should have been serious.
Ouch
As the White Sox and Indians (it’s still not Guardians yet!) went into the bottom of the eighth inning tied, strikeout machine James Karinchak tried to keep it that way. He failed miserably. Tim Anderson hit a go-ahead RBI single to make it a 5-4 game. Then Cesar Hernandez, the newest Chicago second baseman who was acquired from Cleveland just days ago, also hit a single. With the bases loaded and still no outs, 2020 MVP Jose Abreu stepped to the plate. The first pitch was a 96 mph heater that squarely hit Abreu in the helmet. The slugger went down immediately, as did Karinchak in remorse. Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez went over to check on the ailing Abreu. The lead was 6-4 but that was no longer the focus.
What Are You Doing?
As Perez check on Abreu, White Sox manager Tony La Russa came sprinting out of the Chicago dugout. To say that he was sprinting, is, uh… a way that you could call it. At the age of 76, La Russa does not exactly have the speed of his outfielder Adam Engel. The image of La Russa hobbling out distracted from the point that he had no reason to be mad at anyone except Karinchak, who did not mean to hit Abreu. Don’t believe it? As Abreu miraculously walked to first and stayed in the game, Karinchak went over to apologize, and Abreu accepted it with a hug.
La Russa was not even mad at Karinchak. He was angry at Perez for… checking on Abreu? The logic is not really there. As White Sox color commentator and former Cy Young winner Steve Stone pointed out on the broadcast, it seemed like La Russa told Perez that the Sox will worry about their own guys, so Perez should not. Whatever he actually said, it caused the benches to clear. Bench coach Miguel Cairo was holding back an irate La Russa as the medical staff was still checking on Abreu. As the situation dissolved, Cleveland took out Karinchak, giving the ball to Nick Wittgren.
Aftermath
Wittgren did his job perfectly, striking out the next three batters and keeping the deficit at two runs. Liam Hendriks was able to lock down the save for Chicago in the top of the next inning. Abreu is fine and the White Sox won again, but the image of La Russa running should last forever.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wG6CTMaXK4]
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
