Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez tries to keep Miguel Cabrera’s bat

It is understandable that Major League Baseball players would grow up as fans of the game. They watched their idols as children, hoping to one day be able to perform at that level. In some cases, as was the case with Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, they even get to face their idols on the diamond.

Rodriguez did his best to attempt to pick up a memento from Miguel Cabrera‘s career. After the Tigers’ legend grounded out, Rodriguez attempted to keep the bat, even asking for an autograph.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez tries for some memorabilia

Even though he still has a couple of years left on his contract, Cabrera is winding down a Hall of Fame caliber career. He is closing in on both the 3000 hit and 500 homer clubs, and while he may not get those hits he needs, that 500 home run club is within sight.

For Rodriguez, it was also a potential reminder of how he was able to handle the future Hall of Famer. Cabrera was 0-2 with a strikeout and a grounder to the mound against him, keeping him from getting closer to any of those milestones.

He is also hardly the only player to try to grab a keepsake from an opponent that he admires. Players will occasionally swap jerseys, or get autographs from other players, especially during the All Star Game. They are fans as well after all.

And it is good to see that in action. Sometimes, given the competitive nature of sports, that gets lost. Rivalries do matter, but the players respect and admire greatness, no matter what jersey that player may be wearing. If that results in an autographed game used bat from a future Hall of Famer, so much the better.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez attempted to keep Miguel Cabrera’s bat and wanted him to sign it. You can’t blame a guy for trying.