Take One for the Team
a Major League Baseball - The Boston Red Sox Johnny Damon story
by Tina
Johnny Damon jogged out to centerfield at the bottom of the first inning trying to ignore the tickling in his nose and the soreness in his throat. He knew he was getting sick, a nasty virus had been running rampant through the whole team over the last few weeks, he only hoped he could make it through the night before it fully hit him. This game was too important for him to not be performing at his best, if they won they would be in first place in the division. And he knew that once he got sick he would probably miss at least a couple games. "Hessshooo! ISHOOOO" he sneezed freely as he reached his position.
"You alright man?" Manny Ramirez called from behind him on his way to left field.. Johnny just nodded, he knew Manny was probably getting sick too. Heck, he figured half the guys on the field were either getting sick or recovering from being sick, he wasn't about to whine about it. It had started with the pitchers and was working it's way through the ball club. This had been a long road trip and with all the time spent together on the team plane, the germs had flourished between them.
Luckily the inning was well pitched and he didn't have too many plays to make in the field. He did nearly miss one pop fly because he was in the middle of sneezing when the ball was hit, but he did recover and make the play, just barely though. It was the third out and he gratefully headed towards the dugout. He wasn't due up this inning, he had been the lead off batter last inning and surprisingly(to him at least) he had managed a home run. He found an empty seat on the bench and slumped back against the wall, feeling the tickling in his nose building up to more sneezes,"ehhh....heh.......ETCHOOO! HEHCHOOOO!! ISHOOOO" He paused for a second to catch his breath before more sneezes overtook him. "Etch- chuh!! ETCHOOO. ISHOOO!!"
"Hey JD!" He looked up to Manny who called him to see a box of tissues sailing towards his head.
"Thanks, man." He caught the box, smiling at Manny. He took a handful of tissues blowing his nose wetly and repeatedly until it finally cleared, then he tossed the tissues towards the trash bucket.
"What, you got it too?", David Ortiz asked sympathetically joining him on the bench.
Johnny nodded, "You might not want to sit too close Papi."
David shook his head at his friend and ruffled his hair, "You ok?"
Johnny smiled at his friends concern, "Yeah, I'm not really sick yet, but it's definitely coming."
They settled in to watch the inning. The dugout noisy with cheering and chatter but also with coughing and sneezing from the many sick players who were still playing surprisingly well. The Sox scored two more runs before they were on their way back to the field. On his way back out Johnny realized how cold he felt, he was wearing a turtleneck under his uniform shirt but it didn't seem like nearly enough. He realized he was shivering by the time he made it to centerfield. Luckily it was a one - two - three inning, with no balls making it to the outfield. Johnny was glad , he was sneezing more and more and was feeling really cold.
He was on his way back to the dugout when he felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Manny looking at him with concern. "You sure you're alright Johnny? You're not looking so hot man."
Johnny again smiled at the concern, "I'm ok Manny, how're you doing?"
"I'm good Johnny, but I not so sure about you."
Johnny patted his friends arm as they reached the dugout and grabbed his bat since he was leading off the inning again. He managed another hit, a double this time and was quickly moved ahead to score by the active bats behind him. Shivering he settled in to the dugout putting on a sweatshirt trying to get warm. He was aware of the eyes watching him with concern but he really didn't want to get into it. "ISHOOOO, hehchooo.... ETCHOOOO!!" He sneezed into his arm, then searched for the tissue box.
He looked up to see the tissue box in front of him, looking up he saw it was being provided by the team manager. "Johnny should I be taking you out?" Terry Francona looked concerned.
"Naw, I'm ok. Ish-shoooo",he blew his nose, cringing at how bad it sounded .
Francona didn't look convinced. "I can put Kapler in for you....." he began.
"No, really I'm ok, "Johnny insisted "You probably won't have me for tomorrow's game, but right now I can make it. I'll let you know if I start feeling any worse." Francona shrugged and agreed turning back to the game.
After a couple more innings Johnny realized he was definitely getting worse. He was shivering almost continuously and sneezing every few minutes. He realized it was only a matter of time before he would miss a play in the field, and he knew that could cost the team big time. He could see Manny watching him intently with a worried look on his face. He decided he'd take his next at bat, and then ask Terry to take him out. Manny made the catch that ended the inning and they headed back in. Johnny walked slowly and Manny waited at second base for him to catch up.
"Johnny, I don't think you're ok man," Manny put his arm around his friend's shoulder.
"I think you're right Manny, ETCHOOOOO! "Johnny turned away from Manny to sneeze. "I'm gonna take my at bat and then I'm out." Manny nodded at him, still looking concerned.
They made their way to the dugout, Johnny was due up third this inning. He sat shivering in the dugout, awaiting his turn in the on deck circle. He didn't notice Manny over talking to Francona, and both men looking at him with concern. As he made his way to warm up his swing he realized he had probably made a mistake taking this at bat, he was too weak and cold to put any power into his swing, his head was pounding and the ever present sneezing was not relenting. Luckily for him, the opposing pitcher didn't realize his condition and pitched cautiously to him, in the end giving up a walk. Johnny jogged slowly to first base. He was starting to feel a little light headed, and considered that he really shouldn't be base running. Usually his speed was a definite advantage but now he knew he would be an easy out. He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder and realized that Francona had sent Kapler to pinch run for him and take over centerfield. Johnny gratefully made his way back to the dugout.
Francona met him at the entrance to the dugout, "You look like you needed to be pulled out."
Johnny nodded, "Sorry `bout that, thought I could make it."
"Why don't you hit the showers and warm up. Doc's waiting to check you out."
Johnny refused, insisting on watching the rest of the game to cheer his teammates on. By the end of the game his nose was raw from the continuing sneezing and blowing and he wasn't cold anymore. He was hot, really hot. He pulled off his sweatshirt trying to get cooler. He started to stand up to follow the team into the showers and suddenly he was overcome with dizziness and felt his legs giving out. He was sure he'd be hitting the floor but he felt two strong sets of arms pulling him back to his feet. He looked surprised to see Manny and David Ortiz holding him up looking at him with worry on their faces.
"Hey guys, "Johnny grinned at them ,"Thanks. Can you, uh help me out back? I think I need to see Doc."
The three made their way into the clubhouse slowly, two supporting their friend as he swayed while walking his face hot and sweaty from fever. The brought him into the trainers room and helped him lie down on the table. He closed his eyes and drifted off vaguely aware of the poking from the team physician, the thermometer being placed in his mouth. He was also aware that his friends were still with him and that his other teammates were peaking in to check on him. He went to sleep knowing when it was time to leave his friends would make sure he made it back to his bed at the hotel, knowing that as always they would be looking out for him and get him where he needed to go.
The Red Sox are real, the story is not :)