I always hate “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” style analysis.
It’s inherently negative, with one good outcome against two bad outcomes, including a special one to highlight the worst results.
Perhaps that’s because we tend to chalk up the good results as something that was expected.
There’s a part of all of us that expected Ke’Bryan Hayes to hit a home run in his first weekend of the 2021 season. Maybe there’s a part of all of us that expected Hayes to homer in that first game.
I got MLB.tv connected literally right when he hit the home run.
That involuntary smile hit and I thought “He just keeps doing it!”
Hayes clicked at the plate in the last year, and in several small sample sizes has looked like a future impact player.
There’s a part of all of us that probably thinks that future could be now for Hayes.
That’s why your reactions were probably similar to mine.
You probably didn’t say “Oh wow! I’m totally shocked that Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a home run!”
It was probably more like:
“YES! It’s happening!”
And then…
There’s a part of all of us that expected Ke’Bryan Hayes to get injured, for no other reason than this is how things work for this franchise. Maybe there was a part of all of us who expected him to get hurt that first weekend.
I’m guessing your reactions when he was getting checked out by the trainer was probably similar to mine.
You probably didn’t say “You know what, this is probably just precautionary, and everything is fine.”
It was probably more like:
“FUCK! It’s happening!”
And then…
The good news is that it doesn’t appear to be serious for Hayes. He will miss some time, and we’ll get a chance to see what Wilmer Difo can do.
The bad news is that we’re going to see an alternate reality going forward. A “What if?” of sorts.
How far away from contending are the Pirates without Ke’Bryan Hayes?
Because I’m sure we all have that part of us thinking that thought.
And that thought is not “This franchise has amazing luck with their young stars!”
This franchise is cursed.
Seriously, check pockets, because someone stole a gold coin out of a chest in a cave at some point, and things haven’t been the same ever since.
There are two versions of the 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates.
The one where Ke’Bryan Hayes is a Rookie of the Year favorite and already showing the signs of a potential MVP candidate down the line?
Or, the one where the Pirates get zero production from Hayes?
Add in that Mitch Keller’s first start didn’t go well, continuing another trend, and it further illustrates how important Hayes is to this team and the rebuild.
What are your thoughts on the opening weekend? Sound off in the comments below!
Song of the Day
Daily Links
**Ke’Bryan Hayes Placed on Injured List; Pirates Add Wilmer Difo to Active Roster
**Game Recap: Keller’s Struggles Continue as Cubs Edge Pirates
**Card of the Day: 1980 Topps Pirates Team Checklist
