If I threw the following pitching line out there, you surely would not be excited: 3 appearances, 4 1/3 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 5 walks, 5 K’s.
If I told you that Joel Zumaya was throwing hard down in the minors right now, you’d be more than intrigued.
Now combine the 2 pieces of information, and what do we have? We have the thrill, the torment, and the angst that come with being a Joel Zumaya fan, and more importantly, a Detroit Tigers fan.
Zumaya burst onto the scene along with fellow rookie Justin Verlander in the Tigers magical run to the World Series in 2006. In 25 years of watching Tiger baseball, I’ve never seen a single player reach such rock star status in such a short period of time. Zumaya would storm in from the bullpen with Zeppelin blaring in the background, fans out of their seats, begging and waiting for that first 101 mph fastball.
He never disappointed. In fact, he pitched one of the best innings of baseball I’ve ever seen in game 2 of the 2006 ALDS at Yankee Stadium. He struck out the side, cutting right through the heart of the Yankee order, which included Jeter and A-Rod looking mystified as unhittable fastballs whistled towards the catcher.
And then, rumors surfaced of our rock star reliever fighting off an aching wrist from playing too much, you guessed it, Guitar Hero. Then finger and shoulder injuries and we’ve barely seen the guy the last 2 years. He came into camp looking good this year and then the surgically repaired shoulder came up sore and down he went again.
He’s now had 3 appearances, 2 in A ball and one at AAA Toledo. The call-up is looming. He is scheduled to pitch in back-to-back games for the first time in who knows how long this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Fingers are crossed, hearts are thumping, and bets are being hedged all over Motown as we await the next bit of news regarding the rock star’s right shoulder.
No matter what happens, it’s time for Joel Zumaya to step up like we all know he can, or step out of our lives forever.
