Just as he was returning from an injury rehab assignment in the minors over the weekend, Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins realized someone had swiped the glove he uses to play the outfield, along with a hat, from his luggage. The heist happened somewhere between the New Orleans and Miami airports.
Caught in a bind because the missing glove had been "broken in," and used in games, whereas the backup gloves he owns were not, Yelich turned to his "close friend" and teammate, Jake Marisnick, who loaned him his glove in time for the Marlins game Sunday. A terrific gesture, especially considering that Marisnick had been demoted to the minor leagues in order to clear a spot on Miami's roster for Yelich.
Joe Frisaro of Fish Pond at MLB.com reports:
Marisnick, optioned to New Orleans on Saturday night, left his game-ready glove for Yelich.
Marisnick’s nickname is “Big Fudge,” which is inscribed on the side.
Fortunately for Yelich, he arrived to the ballpark on Saturday in time for the Miami-Athletics game, which lasted 14 innings.
Yelich saw Marisnick and said: “I need a glove.”
Marisnick had to figure that his promotion to the majors would be short, and it lasted just 50 plate appearances while Yelich healed his lower back strain. Marisnick hit .170 with five stolen bases for Miami.
And yet: Sacrificing his glove so the person taking his spot would feel more comfortable is telling about Marisnick's character. And it's not like he wouldn't need a glove for the next time New Orleans plays a game.
Frisaro also reports that another Marlins teammate, Ed Lucas, was able to help Yelich by loaning him another glove, so presumably the team will be able to ship Marisnick's starting gamer to him soon if he doesn't already have it.
Hopefully, good karma follows Marisnick to Class AAA. He started off slowly there, but hit well enough in recent weeks to show the Marlins he deserved another chance in the majors. The Fish also gave him a look for 118 plate appearances in 2013.
Just having turned 23 and a top 75 prospect or so, Marisnick figures to get another chance in the majors at some point.
Bases — those, you're supposed to steal. Not gloves. And not a guy's gamer. And certainly not from his luggage. But neither the laws of society or baseball apply to whomever heisted Yelich's glove from his luggage. It's not like the thief will be able to sell it on the memorabilia market without everyone knowing it's hot stuff.
Big BLS H/N: CBS Eye on Baseball
More sports coverage at Yahoo Sports:



*
- - - - - - -
David Brown is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter!Follow @AnswerDave