This article is presented by Antonio’s Italian Cucina

During yesterday’s game, there was a weird delay in between innings. EMS and training staff ran out to the field to attend to one of the grounds crew who seemingly collapsed as he was raking dirt, and normally when this type of stuff goes down, it’s some fossil who’s worked for the organization for 45+ years and everyone kind of holds their breath.

This was not that situation.

Apparently, some guy (looks to be about generously in his late 20’s/early 30’s) dislocated his knee and had to be carted off the field. This is a tough look. In a work environment where you’re surrounded by professional athletes who are complete physical specimens, you absolutely CANNOT get carted off for any field maintenance-related issue. Use your rake as a crutch, call someone over; anything other than getting the cart called on you. Keep your pride in tact. However, what REALLY caused this story to spiral was this clip from the broadcast:

Honestly, respect to the guy. This has to be one of the most embarrassing moments of your career (look how disdainfully the Tigers player is looking at him) and to have a camera shoved in your face on top of it? Nah, fuck that. I totally get where the guy is coming from, and good on him. Of course though, the absolute cess pool of X- The Everything App  jumped on the guy, saying things like “he should be fired” and “absolutely classless- the Tigers should be ashamed”

Okay, first of all, let’s not pretend that being a grounds crew worker is some highly coveted position where you’re making six figures. I’m sure it’s kind of a bullshit job at the end of the day, but offers some cool clout that, if parlayed correctly, could get you laid from time to time. It’s like being a Bat Boy in many ways, except far less glamorous, but a bit more respectable because you don’t have the word “boy” attached to your job description.

Secondly, who’s really classless here? The grounds crew worker who flipped off the camera? Or the camera crew who zoomed in on this poor guy to make 15 seconds worth of content for the broadcast booth to riff on? The camera crew knew what they were doing: let’s not act surprised that the guy snapped back once he noticed it.

Overall, thoughts and prayers to this guy. I say the Tigers have him throw out the first pitch when he comes off the IL. At the very least, I hope he gets some worker’s comp money.