2061.07 - A Tale of Two Ankles (4/24/2061)

[R.Umali]

Just over seventeen thousand paid attendees would enter the gates of Vinnie Vitale this afternoon, a meager yet optimistic sum still enthralled by the optimism of the early sims and baseball by the Lake. This is an optimism powered in part by the popular outfielder Ragheb Burhan and a bevy of lively youth including catcher Marcos Echevarria.

By day's end, both players would be injured.

Burham's injury as it turned out, was just an appetizer. It wasn’t the first time something weird happened around the tarpaulin, and knowing even just a little bit about the shady origins and maintenance schedule of Vinnie Vitale Stadium, it won’t be the last. In the flurried aftermath of a unexpected and ultimately brief spring shower, Burhan found himself sidling down toward second when he stumbled, tangled himself in some half-thought step, and toppled onto the edge of the still-unfurling tarp machine.

The result: a twisted ankle and momentary embarrassment that would slide into the highlight reels. A different headline: "Tarp Monster Claims Another."

Ragheb, still motivated against that "fragile" label - after all, he did play 152 for the Black Sox last season, stealing 51 bases, scoring 101 runs, stroking 27 home runs, and driving in 60 - all career bests -- would take the field this afternoon, going 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in the Sox's 7-2 win over Omaha.

Of much bigger consequence is the major injury dealt to the young catcher Echevarria. A key member of management's youth movement, Echevarria was hurt on a bang-bang play in the bottom of the sixth. On a line drive single by Hasheem Makin in the 6th, Echevarria cast away all heed and, motivated by the new third base coach Trevor Haye, attempted to score from second. Why is it such that capable catchers seem to be the slowest players? Echevarria - with a speed rating of 1 and the additional and uncommented grace metric to match - labored toward home, slid awkwardly but safely.

Chicago would take a lead they would not relinquish this day. But Chicago would lose Echevarria. He was carted off in what was obviously a seriously leg injury. The press release in the evening clarified it: a fractured ankle.

Two injuries. Two ankles. 3 to 4 months of games lost, give or take a few due to the Tarp.