Sometimes in a Major League Baseball season there are snapshots that help define why players play and fans watch. Three years ago, it was Brandon Phillips dropping out of the sky to single-handedly take over a game in his hometown of Atlanta (and then disappear seemingly just as quickly).
Tuesday night, it was Garrett Whitlock's turn.
The performance from the rookie on paper seemed like one of the more innocuous outings of his young career. Three runs over 1 1/3 innings in what would be a 10-8 win for the Red Sox over the Braves.
But sometimes there is more than just the box score. A parent's love will always be a good reminder of that.
“I’m on cloud nine,” Garrett's father Larry told MLB.com from his left-field seat. “Every time I call him, I ask how he's doing, and his response is, ‘I’m living the dream, Dad, I’m living the dream.’ He’s blessed, and we’re blessed to watch him.”
The Red Sox feel equally as fortunate that the kid who grew up 25 miles from that stadium he played in Tuesday night is wearing their uniform.
Before the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora heaped praise on Whitlock.
“He’s just a perfect citizen. He’s such a good kid. Very polite,” said Cora. “I bet you guys have that sense when you guys talk to him. He’s kind of like perfect, right? I know it’s cool he’s here playing against the Braves. Hopefully we can get him in and he can have a blast out there.
“It seems like he keeps getting better, he keeps working on his craft, adding pitches, using his fastball in certain spots. He’s been great. I joke around, he’s great in the weight room and even with the beer cooler taking [beers to the plane for veterans]. It’s kind of like ‘this is how we do it’ and we’re very proud of him.”
Then came the feel-good moment.
Top of the sixth. Nobody out. First major league at-bat.
The single was the first hit by a Red Sox pitcher since David Price's base-hit April 6, 2019, a drought that had stretched 31 at-bats.
Judging by the reaction from Whitlock's family and teammates, this one was worth the wait.
Just like the pitcher himself.
“You saw the stuff,” Cora said. “He’s been great. We’re very happy with him. The fact that he can see a lot of his friends, it’s just amazing. From the beginning when we saw him, we knew we had a special one and I’m just glad that he’s pitching for us.”
