Numb Fans Bid Bob Adieu

Not sure if anyone caught what will be, probably, the final appearance in a major league game/box score by Bobby Abreu?

He was announced as a pinch hitter (for Vic Black) against San Francisco on Monday. A pitching change followed that announcement–Javier Lopez replaced Juan Gutierrez. Abreu was taken out of the game to be hit for by Wilmer Flores.

After the game Abreu was designated for assignment.

Should be pretty sad and anticlimactic stuff. No John Updike saluting Ted Williams in this farewell.

But there might be a bit of baseball lore in it.

Being announced and then lifted for a pinch hitter is the way Abreu’s major league career started with the Astros. He was announced as a pinch hitter (for Chris Holt) in a game against Pittsburgh, Sept 1, 1996. A pitching change followed that announcement–Dan Plesac replaced Marc Wilkins. Abreu was taken out of the game to be hit for by Mike Simms.

Terry Collins was Abreu’s manager in both games.