#21---CLE @ MIN, 5/31/2005

With apologies to any friends or family of Juan Gonzalez, I thought this was one of the funniest games I had ever seen, solely for an event in the top of the first inning. Gonzalez had signed with the Indians during the off-season, and on team-controlled outlets like the radio and TV broadcasts, his return was much-anticipated. An injury during spring training was a blessing in disguise for the Indians, as it allowed Grady Sizemore to make the trip north with the team, and he was a big reason why the team shot into contention.

Nonetheless, after missing nearly two months, Juan Gone was set to make his debut in the Metrodome. A two-out single by Travis Hafner allowed him to bat in the first. After working the count to one and one, he hit a feeble grounder to third and jogged down the line as Michael Cuddyer threw him out. Even this was too much, though, as he pulled him hamstring. He would never play for the Indians again, or anyone else for that matter.

Watching this on TV, I had an actual LOL moment. I felt bad for Gonzalez of course, but I wasn’t particularly concerned about the effect on the team, and after the silly hype, it was hilarious.

From that point, the game wasn’t bad either. CC Sabathia went eight efficient innings, allowing three runs. Ben Broussard and Victor Martinez went deep for the Tribe to provide three of their four runs. Ron Gardenhire was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after the third pitch of Jody Gerut’s sixth inning at bat; this is the first sheet I’ve posted which shows off my symbol for a managerial ejection.