Larry Brown Sports

I know Jonny Gomes plays for the Reds who are competing in the NL Central with the rival Cardinals, but how about a little sportsmanship, huh? The hot-headed outfielder took the news of Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright’s elbow injury pretty happily, as we learned via With Leather. From the Dayton Daily News:

Jonny Gomes walked into the Cincinnati Reds spring training clubhouse early Wednesday morning singing at the top of his warbly voice.

The melody was not recognizable, but the words were plaintive: “Wainwright’s gone, Wainwright’s gone, Wainwright’s gone,” he sang joyously.

Sportsmanship at its very finest. Sure Wainwright’s injury would decimate the Cardinals and boost Cincinnati’s chances of repeating as NL Central champs, but true sportsmen want to see another team go down to defeat because of injury; you want to beat the opposing team’s best. But that’s Jonnny Gomes for you, the classic dugout top-stepper. I guess the good news is the NL Central is becoming even more intriguing than last year.

And on May 29th, 2008, it was a momentous occasion in the life of Jonny Gomes. I hereby induct you, Mr. Gomes, into the LBS Golden Sombrero Club.

Gomes, a notorious hit-or-miss player with a lot of pop and a ton of strikeouts as well, did just that. He took the gas pipe striking out four times in a 5-1 loss to the White Sox. He punched out three times against John Danks and the fourth time was against Octavio Dotel. The dubious performance drags Gomes’ average down to a paltry .209. At least he does something to hang his hat on: he now belongs in the same club as Curtis Granderson, Matt Joyce, and Carlos Pena. Congrats, Jonny, you deserve it.