Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Phil Coke has emerged as a key figure during the team’s playoff run this season, and one of the byproducts has been the public getting to know his cool personality. Take for instance the video above.
Deadspin shared this brilliant clip with us on Friday, and it’s from an interview Coke did with MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk” with Kevin Millar and Chris Rose last week. In the clip, Coke talks about the time slugger Miguel Cabrera asked him if they had ever faced each other as opponents.
Coke spent two seasons with the Yankees (2008-2009), and he has been with the Tigers since then. The two faced each other once, and it came in 2008 during Coke’s rookie season and Cabrera’s first year with the Tigers following his trade from Florida.
Coke told the story while imitating Cabrera perfectly, nailing the All-Star’s confidence and accent. He also delivered the ultimate punchline.
“I don’t remember horsecrap pitchers.”
So awesome. And if you’re wondering why Coke remembers the at-bat so well, it’s because that was his first career appearance. Coke faced four Tigers batters and gave up a hit while striking out two in a scoreless inning, punching out Miggy to end his first career inning. Cabrera went 1-for-5 with a home run off Edwar Ramirez that game. Here’s the boxscore in case you were curious.
