Toronto Blue Jays: Confusion Over Brett Lawrie Apology for Escobar Injury
By Paul Taylor
Toronto Blue Jays: Confusion Over Brett Lawrie Apology for Escobar Injury
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Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie always seemed to be involved in newsworthy headlines joining his time in Southern Ontario. Whether it was unintentionally hitting umpire Bill Miller with his helmet, diving over the railings at Yankee Stadium or dealing with yet another injury, Lawrie’s time with the Blue Jays was certainly entertaining.
Well, the British Columbia native may now be plying his trade with the Oakland Athletics, but he’s still managing to get himself involved in a spot of bother. The trouble started on Friday night, during the seventh inning of the Athletics game against the Kansas City Royals:
While most Blue Jays fans can appreciate Lawrie’s 100 mph, headless chicken, enthusiastic puppy dog approach to playing baseball, the incident was unnecessary. Yes, I can appreciate he was trying to break up a double play, but there’s absolutely no excuse for sliding in with his studs up.
Understandably, the Royals Alcides Escobar wasn’t too happy about what happened, as he suffered a mild strain and contusion to his left knee. However, this is where things start to get really interesting.
As reported by Jane Lee of mlb.com, there has been some confusion over whether or not Lawrie actually apologized for the incident. According to the 25-year old, he sent a text message to Escobar and even received a response.
Apr 18, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Former Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Brett Lawrie (15) reacts after getting hit with a pitch from Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
However, according to the La Sabana, Venezuela native, he never received any such text. He even took out his cell phone to prove his point.
Interestingly though, Lawrie did exactly the same, showing the text messages he apparently received from Escobar. The Athletics offseason pickup explained that he was given the number by his friend Eric Hosmer, who happens to be the Royals first baseman.
As Lawrie told the media on Saturday: “I reached out to him (Friday) night in a text message, and he got it. I have the text message. I did reach out to him, and I sent a number of paragraphs and he messaged me back.”
Unfortunately for the 16th overall 2008 draft pick, Escobar (or whoever replied) didn’t seem too impressed: “He didn’t really seem to care about my apology to him. He actually said it was stupid and that it was intentional.
“He actually thought I did it on purpose, and I sent him another message back and said, ‘I’m never out to get anyone, man. I’ve known you since Milwaukee. Every time I see you, we wish each other best of luck.’ I’m the one who extended myself out there.”
Apart from the fact that maybe Hosmer has something to answer for as well, Escobar wasn’t having any of it: “No, he don’t say nothing. I don’t hear nothing from him.
“Yeah, I’m surprised because when you do a guy like that you say, ‘My bad.’ He don’t say nothing. I don’t know why.”
Now, far be it from me to bring common sense into the equation, but wouldn’t if have been far easier if the two men just meet in person to discuss what happened?!?! Escobar was held out of Saturday’s game as a precaution, so we wait to see what happens if and when the two players come face to face during the series finale.