Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez is expected to miss five to six months after suffering a ruptured left pectoral tendon while trying to make a leaping catch at the wall in spring training. It really sucks for Jiménez that he won’t be able to play much, if at all this season. The 24-year-old is one of the best young hitters in baseball (even if he’s had frequent issues in the outfield), and he was going to be a huge part of a White Sox team that hopes to contend for a title in 2021.
But it’s just an injury, and again, one he could possibly even return from later in the season. He has a very bright future ahead, and hopefully a long career in the major leagues.
Well, in their Opening Day game in Anaheim on Thursday night, the White Sox would’ve led you to believe that Jiménez is *dead*.
The White Sox official Twitter account sent out a tweet featuring a heart emoji, with a photo of a Jiménez jersey — signed by teammates — and batting gloves hanging in the road dugout.
They followed that up with a tweet reading, “With us tonight & always,” accompanied by a photo of 2020 AL MVP José Abreu holding a Jiménez jersey on the field during player introductions.
That’s… a bit much. Yes, it sucks that he’s out for a long while with an injury, but he’s very much alive and will likely be a big part of the White Sox for years to come!
Well, the over-the-top tribute was met with plenty of mocking on Twitter (with RIP Eloy even trending).
Eloy Jiménez, I hope you are hitting a big honking dinger off St. Peter right now my dude, we miss you https://t.co/VHeBj8RJlZ
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) April 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/okcfanethan/status/1377805035103379457
https://twitter.com/MikeGianella/status/1377808546935488514
Hopefully Jiménez is able to return this season and make this tribute look even more ridiculous.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.