The Baseball clubhouse and dugout lends itself to some interesting characters. Anyone’s who has ever played the game or been in the dugout during a game knows the banter and exchange between guys who spend a bit too much time together. Whether its that memorable quote in Space Jam after Michael Jordan strikes out (“I mean, you look good when you strike out, man. When I strike out, it looks nasty, man. But at least you look good, man”) or arguing about about the possibility of Superman catching a baseball he threw as hard as he could (This was the argument during today’s Vassar Baseball game– We agreed he could catch his own curveball but not his own fastball), baseball dugouts are fun places to be. Extrapolate these arguments and conversations over 162 game season and some interesting things are sure to happen. I ran across a story yesterday about a bullpen catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has developed a certain niche in the baseball world. He will eat anything for money.
Jeff Motuzas was a Major League catcher for a few years before he found his calling as bullpen catcher. Its a hard job (unrewarding and distinctly out of the spotlight) that earns a small paycheck. Most bullpen catchers make about $60,000 annually while working with millionaires who have little else to spend their money on than wagers and NCAA bracket pools (Jeff Francouer won $6200 last year on his winning bracket in the New York clubhouse). Major Leaguers often bet each other to eat this or jump over that or let me hit you with this (just like any high school male) but Jeff Motuzas has taken them up on it. “Someone pulled something out of their nose and he ate it for $400,” Price, the D’backs pitching coach, said. He has also snorted wasabi and eaten horseradish by the bowlful. He has devoured a dozen donuts and guzzled 13 bottles of water. And this is the PG-rated version. “Tooz will eat anything except poop, urine and vomit,” Diamondbacks reliever Sam Demel said. “No, wait — I’m sorry. He will eat vomit.”
People outside of the D’backs know of his shenanigans. In a game last year Pirates relievers heard of Motuzas “abilities.” Evan Meek (who actually pitches pretty well: 2.14 ERA in 2010) caught two moths and fed them to Motuzas. After Motuzas downed the moths, Meek went around to his teammates and conjured up a $200 reward for the catcher’s…. feat.
Motuzas’ unconventional method of supplementing his salary has gained him national attention and entertained many a Major Leaguer. I would find a different way to support my family (like mowing lawns or serving drinks at a buffet) but, to each his own and this is Jeff Motuzas’ own.
And Now For Something Completely Different…As if the post wasn’t different enough
Keep up with your current events. There’s some major world events going on. Including the Japanese nuclear crisis. Pay attention to CNN or NBC this week.
The inventor of Super Glue died today.
Sexting is a growing issue for minors and something parents should educate their kids (and maybe themselves) on. At the end of the day, kids will do what they want and parents can’t monitor their every move but knowing the dangers of their actions can help kids make the right decisions.
Tennis on an airplane.
Something for the ladies.
Do you have spider bites?
As always, offthebench@offthebenchbaseball.com
-Sean Morash
