The old Mets luck swung in action during a pre-season game against the Detroit Tigers yesterday. Second baseman Jordany Valdespin got hit in the family jewels by a 94 MPH fastball from Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Mets manager Terry Collins was PISSED, telling the Post, "You would think if you are starting at second base, you would be smart enough to wear a cup."
Valdespin told reporters he was hit "in the dick" but "Everything is good, working good, normally. Everything is great."
Verlander felt bad, “He took a hack at the first pitch and the next one — he already hit one bomb — and the next one he totally squared [toward] me. And I’m like, ‘Oh God, this isn’t going to be good.’ Right out of the hand it’s like, ‘Oh, [bleep]! That is right at his [genitals].’"
Valdespin has a reputation as being "brash" and the Post reports, "Collins has told Valdespin this spring to eliminate some of his antics, warning that he might become a target for pitchers. One such warning came two weeks ago after Valdespin faked a bunt leading off a game against Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg. In the same at-bat, Valdespin singled and received a glare from Strasburg as he ran to first base." Collins said that he's "been told a lot in the last couple of years about how to handle himself on the major league field, especially when you are a young player. He understands it, he’s adjusting to it and once in a while you always get caught up in the moment." Like wear a cup, for chrissakes.
