He didn’t preen, he didn’t toss his bat in feigned disgust and
he definitely didn’t show up the pitcher.
Chris Gimenez didn’t have time to do any of these things, not
that any of these things are really his style.
He didn’t preen, he didn’t toss his bat in feigned disgust and he definitely didn’t show up the pitcher.
Chris Gimenez didn’t have time to do any of these things, not that any of these things are really his style.
The best moments in life are rarely able to be fully embraced while they’re happening. After the fact is usually the time to soak in the enormity of an accomplishment.
Gimenez understands this. The Gilroy native, brought up to play for the Cleveland Indians last week, didn’t get to enjoy the biggest hit of his life. Putting the fat part of his bat on a morbidly obese pitch last Thursday in Minnesota, Gimenez watched the ball head toward the wall in left-center field and bounce off the top of the fence. Unsure if he did, in fact, go yard, Gimenez kept hustling like his hair was on fire.
“I was actually in complete and utter panic,” he said.
As it turns out, Gimenez doesn’t have hair and he also didn’t have anything to worry about – the ball was just long enough to give the 26-year-old Gilroy High graduate a home run for his first career hit in the Big Leagues.
Success often follows failure, though, and Gimenez had to stumble before he could celebrate. In his first at-bat, he struck out swinging. In his second at-bat, he grounded out to the shortstop. In his third at-bat, there was no pressure.
“Going up there 0-for-2, I’m like, ‘Hey, what’s the worst that could happen,'” he said.
The worst thing that happened was he didn’t look exceptionally cool during his home run trot. The best thing that happened was the reception he received from his teammates, as well as family and friends following the game.
“Every single person in that dugout was right there when I came in, giving me hugs,” Gimenez said. “It really was neat. I was part of the team and one of the guys.
“When I got back into the clubhouse after the game I had 33 text messages and 11 voicemails. And then I got 20 more texts and 11 phone calls after that. It was complete and utter madness, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The Indians traveled right after the game to take on the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, and Gimenez celebrated Thursday night by eating a steak dinner with a couple other rookies on the team.
Gimenez then sat in the dugout while the Indians split the first two games of their three-game series with Chicago. Making his second career start on Sunday, Gimenez let loose with another lethal swing, crushing a second-inning pitch from Bartolo Colon to deep left field. He left no doubt this time around and rounded the bases with confidence.
In eight MLB at-bats, Gimenez has three hits (.375 average), two home runs and two RBI. His on-base percentage is a sturdy .444 while his slugging percentage is off the charts at 1.125. He’s played in just three games, meaning stardom or even a firm spot on the roster are far from sure things. But Gimenez’s production has been stellar in limited action.
“I kind of understand that’s going to be my role – giving guys a break here and there,” he said. “When I get in there, I’m going to give it my all.”
Gimenez may not always make it look pretty or cool, but that’s okay.
Style points never result in runs.
