Rookie Pitcher Jose Fernandez Stares At First Homer, Benches Clear
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins concluded his rookie year in a way that will not soon be forgotten.
Fernandez, who has a 2.19 ERA and a WHIP of 0.98 through 28 starts and averages 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings smacked the first home run of his major league career Wednesday.
One small problem cropped up, however. He promptly forgot his baseball manners, tossing the bat to the side but then gazing at his shot for a full four seconds before he started toward first base. At third, he saluted the crowd.
Proper big-league etiquette includes making sure to not show up other players, particularly the pitcher by making a big deal out of a home run. Players are supposed to act like they have done it before - even if they have not.
The Atlanta catcher tried to explain Fernandez's indiscretion to him, and it looked like a well-meaning veteran-teachers-rookie type of conversation, but the third basemen sprinted in and riled everyone up.
Again, a season-ending start and first homer that Fernandez - and others - will remember for years to come.
