By almost any statistical measure, Jonny Gomes has been one of the worst left fielders in the National League this year. I don’t enjoy pointing that out, but it must be conceded. However, many Reds fans — including me — have continued to like the ol’ guy despite his obvious flaws. I don’t even know why, but Gomes has been one of my favorites since his first day in Cincinnati.
This article by Mark Sheldon, however, gives me a concrete reason to keep pulling for Gomes. I can’t believe all that this guy has been through in his life. Homeless as a child, a passenger in a car accident that killed his best friend, a heart attack at age 23…good grief. It’s almost unfathomable that he was able to emerge from all that and be a major league baseball player.
The Nation is rooting for you, Gomes. (And, by the way, now would be a great time for you to get on a month-long tear like you did earlier this season.)