FanPost

Will this be Dirtbag's Redemption ?

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Kipnis hit a big 3-run home run a few games ago against the Twins and was carried down the dugout by Adam Plutko and Carlos Carrasco in a celebratory dance as teammates smiled, hooted and laughed. Fans were yelling, laughing, enjoying another victory. Baseball was fun again.

You could see the joy in Kipnis’ face as he is carried around the dugout. The last 2 years have been tough for him, no doubt. He’s been hovering around .230 and playing what most consider average defense these last 16 months. You could see relief in Kipnis’ face after going 9 for his last 21 with 2 home runs. Kipnis finally started showing us the "Dirtbag" we all know and love.

Then……The Trade happened.

Last night Kipnis got called to pinch-hit in the bottom of the 9th in a 5-2 game. "Great. I don’t get the start today, you trade for someone who will put me out of a job, and now you want me to pinch hit?" he thought.

He then launched a pinch-hit bomb that hit high up on the right field foul pole in the 9th inning to draw the Indians closer to Tampa in a 5-3 loss. "How do you like me now? I’m hitting .455 my last 7 games and this is the thanks I get? I don’t want no dugout ride today," he thought

He’s been the Tribe’s starting 2nd baseman for 7 years. He’s a team leader. His nickname is "Dirtbag." He has been an incredible part of Cleveland’s success the last 4 years. Although he’s from Chicago it just feels like he’s a native Clevelander. He is our "dirtbag."

The demeanor of Kipnis in those two home runs are polar opposities. There is so much drama swirling around right now and for the next 8 weeks in the Wigwam. Last week Tito said he would prefer Jose Ramirez to stay at 3rd base. This week Chris Antonetti said Josh Donaldson will be playing 3rd base every day when he is healthy.

What?

I would like to see Donaldson DH against lefties and play Encarnacion at first base, keeping Alonso (who just doesn’t hit lefties well) as a sub/pinch hitter. I really don’t care if Donaldson’s feelings or anyone else’s feeling are hurt by any decision that gets us closer to a World Series’ title. And as much as I like Kipnis, the thought of him playing center field in the playoffs scares me. Greg Allen made pivotal, huge defensive plays in Fenway last week that Kipnis just isn’t capable of making.

Championship teammates don’t have to all get along. They need to win 11 postseason games, and if feelings are hurt then so be it. This is a business. This isn’t a coed softball team.

But you could just see it in Kipnis’ demeanor after he hit that home run last night that he was hurt by this trade. FS1 announcers didn't catch it, but Kip was not a happy man.....after hitting a home run. He’s hitting .455 in his last 7 games and seems to be turning the corner. While I shouldn’t care about Kipnis’ feelings anymore than I care about Donaldson’s, I just can’t forget the look on Kipnis’ face last night as he watched the rest of that 9th inning. He was dejected, hurt and mad.

And maybe that’s OK. There’s a hundred different scenarios that can happen in the next 8 weeks of baseball. The chances of Donaldson staying healthy the rest of the season is doubtful. Someone else could get hurt (knock-on-wood). Someone might need to be the hero in a pinch-hitting role instead of a starter. Who knows?

One thing I do know is that Jason Kipnis is a professional. He will do what is asked of him. We can only hope our "Dirtbag" can take that dejection, pain and anger as fuel. The World Series is full of phenomenal stories of redemption. I would love nothing more than to see this year’s playoffs be Jason’s redemption.

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