Fernando Rodney isn’t very smart

Posted Sep 4, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Sep 4, 2009 at 10:36 PM

Moments after he nearly coughed up the Tigers’ 4-3 win over the Rays, Fernando Rodney took the game ball from Miguel Cabrera and fired it into the stands behind the backstop.

It wasn’t a toss, either—the ball whizzed into the press box, which is in the second deck behind home plate, and ricocheted hard off a table top. Nobody was hurt—a little less crowded in here tonight with all the football going on—but Rodney is damn lucky his spotty control didn’t lead to the plunking of some kid in the seats.

In case he needs a reminder, that can be an offense punishable by jail time depending on the severity.

I didn’t have a chance to get to the Tigers’ clubhouse after the game, but the reporters who were over there said Rodney wasn’t terribly apologetic, explaining that he was just celebrating and there was no intent. I’m sure there wasn’t—that would be truly idiotic. But I don’t know that this guy who throws 97 in games fully grasped the harm that would have been done if that ball had hit somebody.

Updating with a brief explanation from Rodney, courtesy of the postgame quote sheet:

“I know we’re not supposed to throw the ball, but I did. I was celebrating the moment.”

Maybe a nice shaving cream pie or floral bouquet would be a better choice next time, big guy.