When your average baseball team wins in walk-off fashion, the player(s) involved in producing the winning run get overwhelmed by a mob of team mates eager to pummell him with a barage of head-locks, head slaps and punches that would make Hulk Hogan proud. Needless to say, the Julian Javelina are anything but your average baseball team; not after players remained in the dugout, honoring Khalil Greenes efforts with a series of cat calls and golf claps. Of course, Greene appreciates the sentiment.
"You never know when you might twist an ankle, pop a shoulder, or sprain a finger in one of those mobs," said Greene. "They're not safe at all."
For those that don't know, Greene's immense talent has, at times, been overshadowed by his tendency to sustain freak, nagging injuries on the field. He has twice sprained and/or broken toes while fielding his position, and last year missed more than two months after spraining a finger swining the bat. In an effort to protect their short stop, Javelina players came up with a special celebration, just for him.
"Actually, it's pretty fitting if you think about it," said Josh Barfield. "Greenie's such a quiet, laid back guy - he barely breaks a smile when he hits a home run. Why should we get hyped up if he won't?"
GM Jamie Hoyle thought the celebration was a little odd at first, but says it's a testament to team chemistry and his players' sense of humor.
"It's quite a sight to see a bunch of rowdy athletes standing atop the dug out steps, golf clapping after a walk-off hit," explained Hoyle. "We've got a bunch of smartasses in this clubhouse; if there's something to rib each other about, they'll find it. This is a fun clubhouse."
As far as Greene is concerned, the only thing that matters is that he and his mates are having fun and winning.
"It's a game, it's supposed to be fun. This group of guys has a lot of fun, and that leads to winning."
