The Nationals achieved a 2-0 series lead over the Cardinals in the NLCS on Saturday, with the last out of their 3-1 victory being recorded by pitcher Daniel Hudson. It also marked the culmination of a whirlwind week for the righty Hudson, who caught a fair amount of flack for missing the team’s Game 1 matchup–despite the fact that his absence was a result of the birth of his third daughter. The modest firestorm surrounding Hudson’s prioritization of family values was, perhaps as much as anything, a reflection of how quickly social media can convert molehills into mountains in this day and age.
Hudson, at least, isn’t losing perspective on the situation, as he demonstrated to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic (link). “I went from not having a job on March 21st to this huge national conversation on family values going into the playoffs,” Hudson explained to Ghiroli. “Life comes at you fast. Man, I don’t know how that happened and how I became the face for whatever conversation was going on.” Although it’s tempting for many to view ballplayers as mercenaries singularly focused on winning games, Hudson’s comments provide a reminder that the men of Major League Baseball are, first and foremost, men–with all of the same personal issues and considerations that the rest of us workaday humans also experience. We at MLBTR, for one, extend sincere congratulations to Hudson’s family on the birth of their new baby girl Millie. After settling for a $1.5MM guarantee from the Blue Jays last year, Hudson will hit the open market this offseason after pitching to a 2.47 ERA across 73 innings in 2019; it stands to reason that he should be able to secure a new guarantee that will leave plenty left over for diaper money.
More from the buzzing environment surrounding D.C.’s team…
- In another Ghiroli piece, the unique career of Anibal Sanchez is appreciated in the afterglow of his dominant Game 1 NLCS showing (link). As Ghiroli points out, Sanchez has operated in familiar territory in 2019–as the often-overlooked “fourth starter” operating behind a trio of fearsome frontline aces. During his time in Detroit, Sanchez was something of an afterthought in the shadow of three guys named Verlander, Price, and Scherzer, and he’s taken a similar position in D.C. as the elder statesman of a staff featuring Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Max Scherzer (again). If Sanchez was feeling bashful about not receiving shine in the leadup to this postseason, he didn’t show it on Friday: in a rousing performance that saw him deploy pitches anywhere from 66 to 93 mph, Sanchez became the first pitcher in LCS history to throw at least 7 2/3 innings and not allow more than one walk and a hit. Interestingly, Ghiroli notes that the pitcher nearly retired in the winter of 2018, even going so far as to tell his agent that he would hang up his spikes if he didn’t receive a contract offer by his birthday on Feb 27–the Twins eventually came calling with just a few days to spare, and the Nationals of 2019 are thankful that the rest might end up being postseason history.
Sanchez looked finished his last 2 seasons with the Tigers. It is a great story to see him have this renaissance afterwards.
DET actually made Anibal Sanchez appear worse than he was. He came back from multiple injuries and pitched for a horrible defensive Tiger team, He always had good control which, if made to pitch long inning, translated into HRs. With the Tigers, he would have to get 4-5 outs every inning then subsequently serve up a long hit.
After pitching behind 2-3 days of hard throwers, his slow pitching style will be like Randy Jones was with SDP in mid-70s or Eddie Lopat in the 50s..
Family comes first before anything so i agree with Hudson decision
@Stanley. Of course you agree you sack of… I’m kidding, totally kidding. I agree with you Stanley. Family first and foremost. The guys a class act.
It is their right per the CBA. It was a change that was long overdue!
Was Washington able to replace Hudson on the roster? The situation seems similar (though much happier, of course) to the bereavement list.
Suero was on the roster for game 1 and then removed from here on out.
Hudson absolutely made the right choice. Family comes before any sport. Being there for the birth of his child is more important then any one game, even a WS G7.
If you have a problem with what Hudson did, get a god damn life. You are what’s wrong with today’s world.
This is excellent writing. Bravo MLBTR.
Virtue Signaling at its best.
Don’t know of one person opposed to what Hudson did. Haven’t read or heard any comments to that effect. No groans from anyone associated with the Nationals – only congrats on having a healthy baby,
I guess you missed where former Marlins exec and current CBS Sports employee David Samson said his absence was inexcusable. Probably didn’t see another ESPN radio host tweeting something similar. But hey, it probably felt cool to throw out “virtue signaling.”
Because missing a birth of a child is inexcusable vs a playoff game. Good for Hudson to choose family over a job
.that’s right a job
Hence “former” MLB employee, David Samson, and current TV personality. No current MLB employee that wants to stay that way would go on record making a statement against Hudson in 2019. He’s drumming up attention for his new gig as the next obnoxious TV personality out-of-touch with today.
Virtue signaling? I didn’t know that was a thing…..
Well since you haven’t seen it, then it must be fake news.
In an MLBTR chat and the comments in their posting of WAS NLCS roster there were complaints of Hudson choosing the birth of his daughter over playing.
Says the guy virtue signalling that he’s a d-bag. Signalling crap virtues is still virtue signalling, champ. Grow up.
It’s pathetic that Hudson has to defend himself having a child. I don’t care what sport or team it is, family comes first! I wish the team would have publicly said something to defend their player.
The team shouldn’t have to defend anything nor should Hudson. Any real man would never question that decision. Shouldn’t even be a question ever.
You want players to be role models this is a true role model. His actions teach that even before your team family is what really comes first.
As a society, we place athletes on a pedestal. In reality, their job isn’t more important than mine or yours. Would you show up to work and run the risk of missing the birth of your child? Didn’t think so.
Now that goes both ways because I constantly read on here and other sites or just in conversation how these players make to much money. People want to compare athletes and their jobs. It doesn’t work that way. Our society is an entertainment based society and these athletes are entertainers. Therefore they get a cut of the entertainment dollars shelled out by the citizens. Same as actors, musicians, artists etc.
I never hear anybody complain about the price of an opera ticket, Broadway show or a concert. Also the price of soda & popcorn at a movie was way out of wack long before the price of a beer & a hot dog at a game.
At the risk of stating the exceptionally obvious, there are a lot of angry and miserable people in the world whose only solace is to make others miserable and/or angry, as well.
And they’re all on Reddit and Twitter
Anybody who agreed with that dude’s tweets were more than likely business owners who sucked the life dry of their employees. All we hear from owners is how it’s a business well their are laws enacted for situations like Hudson’s and labor agreements put in place through union contracts for situations like Hudson’s. Nothing to be tweeted or talked about by anyone especially not a former owner or should I refer to him as the 1%
Sanchez & Suzuki were let go by the Braves, it was a mistake then and it remains a mistake. Sanchez pitched so well for the Braves and they couldn’t find a spot for him, whilst all the experts assert that Flowers is a “better catcher because of his defence and pitch framing”, well have a look at Scherzer and Strasburg pitching to Suzuki and ask Scherzer and Strasburg who they want catching to them when they pitch. That’s all that needs to be said on the subject. Suzuki is a better catcher and a better hitter, whilst Sanchez would have made a difference in the play offs.
Hindsight is 20/20. The Braves weren’t about to commit $29 million to Sanchez and Suzuki for two seasons. Flowers and McCann’s total commitment was $8 million (if they cut Flowers, $12 million if they don’t). They got Tomlin, who largely played the role Sanchez would have handled on this staff, for the ML minimum. They had no way of knowing Keuchel would be available in June. I would have preferred Sanchez to Teheran, but that wasn’t an option. Again, hindsight.
Sounds like the writer of this little piece is trying to start an argument that doesn’t exist among the commentators on here.
I don’t think so. He’s just stating the obvious to the haters. Sad that in our society this debate even exists…..
Says the guy responding argumentatively. GTFO.
Congrats on your newborn Hudson!
The Hudson situation shows how far we have come in the last 70 years. At that time the organization man whether pitching in baseball or working for Bethlehem Steel was expected to work rather than attend the birth of a son or daughter. Today we have started to realize the difference between a job and family.
This is an interesting post considering that Jeff Todd was absolutely outraged over Hudson’s decision to miss game 1 for the birth of his daughter, calling the decision “inexcusable” during his MLBTR chat.
Was there a change of heart or do you still believe Hudson should’ve been in the bullpen, Jeff?
Jeff Todd quoted another persons tweet during his chat. He in no way condemned what Hudson did. Learn to read.
Oh crap, I made a mistake. I left the chat after skimming through that the first time. Thank you losrojos for the correction. Sorry Jeff!
It’s this kind of knee jerk posting that’s wrong with the internet
Annibal is a great find by the Nationals and should be honored with a World Series
If I had my choice, I would choose Annibal over Price right now. Price sucks.
The only Hudson critic I read about was the Marlins ex-president David Sampson. From what I remember, he was a loser before his comments and he is clearly still a loser after.
You made the right call Hudson; congratulations!
Washington DEFINITELY has the starting pitching!! Unbelievably, Washington’s offense and whole team, looks so much better without Bryce Harper.
Sanchez was the 5th starter, behind Porcello…at least after Price came over mid-season. The Good Drew Smyly and Robby Ray on that team too.
Offense choked again that year and every formerly good closer signed by DD managed to suck in the D…Nathan, J Johnson, PapaGrande, Rodney, …sigh.
I was disappointed the Braves didn’t re-up Anibal. From what I’ve read, he wanted to come back. He was a great fit in Atlanta.
Will Strasburg opt out?