Russell Martin injures hand high-fiving after Blue Jays win
By Carly Regehr
Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin needed minor surgery on his finger after a celebratory high five.
What a wild way to ring in the playoffs. Six months and 162 games later, the MLB postseason appeared, starting off with the American League Wild Card game won by the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles.
Other than a bitter Toronto fan tossing a water bottle at an Orioles outfielder, the real cherry on the sundae took place in the clubhouse following a 5-2 win over Baltimore in order to advance to the ALDS.
Though many celebrations have claimed victims before, the simplicity behind Russell Martin’s lacerated pinky from a high five may take the cake. According to NBC Sports, Martin needed stitches to repair the cut. Thankfully, it hasn’t affected him, so he’ll be good to go in the ALDS.
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But a teammate must wonder about the consequence of going palm-to-palm with Martin if an innocent high five results in stitches. Just one request, Mr. Martin, please: Don’t. Touch. Josh Donaldson.
John Gibbons and his Blue Jays stored the momentum gained at the beginning and ran wild with it when it mattered. With the first game of the postseason out of the way, the Blue Jays will step onto the field with their friends, the Texas Rangers.
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In case you missed it, the Rangers and Blue Jays found themselves in the middle of a scuffle involving Jose “Joey Bats” Bautista and Rougned Odor just one month into 2016. Known for his bat flipping abilities, Bautista was challenged by Odor and the two eventually switched fists.
Although Odor got the better piece of the pie in that altercation, Joey Bats will have his chance at redemption in a seven games series vs. the Rangers.