Just over a week ago, Reds fans were celebrating Jay Bruce who hit a walk-off home run to beat the Astros and send Cincinnati to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Now, many of those same fans are cursing his name.
The 23-year-old outfielder made a critical error in Game 2 of the Phillies-Reds NLDS that was eerily similar to Matt Holliday’s mistake for the Cardinals a year ago. With his team up 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th, Bruce missed a line drive to right with two men on. Both Chase Utley and Jayson Werth scored on the play, allowing the Phillies to take the lead 5-4. The play was routine but Bruce probably lost the ball in the lights or white rally towels that make it difficult to spot the ball.
As if Bruce’s error wasn’t enough, Brandon Phillips also dropped the relay throw from the outfield allowing Werth to score uncontested. If he had made a quick turn and accurate throw, the game may have been tied.
Bruce’s mistake may have taken the Reds out of the series, but don’t expect any forgiveness from Reds fans. Many of their followers on twitter wasted no time bashing the young outfielder even before the team had actually lost the game:
Jay Bruce way to go….. Go back to single A
Jay Bruce. Go kill yourself. Wow. That’s just depressing
Go crawl in a hole, Jay Bruce.
Jay Bruce is *dead.* You hear me? DEAD!
that is what jay bruce will be remembered for in his whole career
Damn, Reds fans. How about a little forgiveness for the man? I’d be pissed if that were my team but that’s definitely crossing the line. And they wonder why some athletes have to be treated for depression? There’s your answer.
