First impressions are important. Billy McKinney learned that the hard way.
The 24-year-old outfielder received his first call to the big leagues last year while with the New York Yankees. In just the second game of his MLB career, McKinney brutally collided with the outfield wall as he tried to make a leaping catch. He ended up spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder and was sidelined for nearly two months.
Looking back, McKinney admits he was trying to do too much, too fast. “I was trying to make a play, being the young, new guy.” McKinney said. “I was trying to make a statement and open some eyes.”
McKinney recovered, but never played another game for the Yankees. At last year’s trade deadline, New York sent McKinney and infielder Brandon Drury to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for starting pitcher J.A. Happ.
McKinney settled in nicely in Toronto. He hit .252/.320/.470 in 36 games. This year, he is gunning for the starting left field job and hoping to impress new Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, who he calls a “baseball genius.”
Sabermetric system PECOTA projects the Blue Jays to win just 76 games this season, but the doubters are a source of motivation for McKinney. “It just gives you something to strive for.” McKinney said. “We have the talent, and I’m looking forward to us trying to bring a World Series to Toronto.”
Friday, March 8, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Bryce Harper Signing Leaves Phillies Fans in Shock
The Bryce Harper buzz is in the air at Spectrum Field. Philadelphia Phillies fans flocked to the team’s spring training home for Tuesday’s game against the Saint Louis Cardinals.
While Harper will not play until Saturday, but fans still caught a glimpse of him in the dugout. The ink is barely dry on the 26-year-old’s record-setting 13-year, $330 million contract. So, fans easily recalled the exciting moment they found out Harper would be calling the City of Brotherly Love home.
“I was just listening to the radio at the time just waiting on it like everybody else,” said Casey Dunn, a Clearwater resident and self-proclaimed die-hard Phillies fan. “I’m so excited to have him here.”
Part of the excitement, fans say, stems from the shock they were in when the signing was announced. Reports earlier in the week suggested Harper was not sold on playing in Philadelphia and might be leaning toward signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants. The six-time All-Star and 2015 National League MVP ultimately felt differently.
Philadelphia native Nick Tulli said, “I was thrilled, I didn’t think there was any shot they’d sign him.”
What would Tulli do with $330 million? “Sign Mike Trout,” he said. “One hundred percent.”
While Harper will not play until Saturday, but fans still caught a glimpse of him in the dugout. The ink is barely dry on the 26-year-old’s record-setting 13-year, $330 million contract. So, fans easily recalled the exciting moment they found out Harper would be calling the City of Brotherly Love home.
“I was just listening to the radio at the time just waiting on it like everybody else,” said Casey Dunn, a Clearwater resident and self-proclaimed die-hard Phillies fan. “I’m so excited to have him here.”
Part of the excitement, fans say, stems from the shock they were in when the signing was announced. Reports earlier in the week suggested Harper was not sold on playing in Philadelphia and might be leaning toward signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants. The six-time All-Star and 2015 National League MVP ultimately felt differently.
Philadelphia native Nick Tulli said, “I was thrilled, I didn’t think there was any shot they’d sign him.”
What would Tulli do with $330 million? “Sign Mike Trout,” he said. “One hundred percent.”
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