Indians pitcher Blake Wood was working into the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Reds this past Monday when manager Terry Francona came out to the mound for a pitching change. However, Tito had another reason for the mound visit—to let the 28-year-old Wood know he had made the team.
“When I went to take him out, (catcher Luke) Carlin was coming and I told him to stay back there a little bit,” manager Terry Francona said. “I went out there and asked (Wood) if he ever made the team on the mound? He was like no. I go ‘well, you just did.’ After that we came and talked to him the dugout but you could tell he was pretty excited.”
This may very well be the first time a pitcher, or player, has found out he secured a roster spot while on the field during game action. For Wood, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012, making the Indians Opening Day roster is a huge accomplishment considering that two years ago his baseball career was very much up in the air.
“Just coming back from what I did and making the Opening Day roster is really fulfilling. It has given me perspective on a lot of things,” Wood said.
Finally, Cleveland president Mark Shapiro tweeted out this wonderful photo of Francona giving Wood the big news, while simultaneously reaffirming our love for baseball.
This was a cool moment and classic Tito. He tells Blake Wood that he made club as he takes him out a few days ago. pic.twitter.com/XKHVLA875F
— Mark Shapiro (@MarkShapiro) March 28, 2014
[Deadspin]