We've seen a rash of MLB players fouling balls into their own... well, balls, and it's opened a dialogue about whether players should wear cups.
One of the latest to do this, Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement, says that he's still not going to wear one after fouling a ball off into his own manhood.
And, if he misses a ground ball and takes it to the netherparts, he deserves it.
Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement was the latest Big Leaguer to take a foul ball where the sun doesn't shine. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
JAZZ CHISHOLM JR. EXITS YANKEES GAME AFTER FOULING PITCH DIRECTLY INTO HIS GROIN IN PAINFUL SCENE
Clement took a brutal foul ball to the groinal area on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals, in a situation that looked a lot like those we've seen this year with Yankees star Jazz Chisholm and Athletics infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer.
Clement stayed in the game and was later asked by Sportsnet's David Singh about adopting some protection down there.
JAZZ CHISHOLM EXPLAINS WHY HE STILL WON'T WEAR A CUP AFTER FOULING A PITCH INTO HIS OWN GROIN
The answer is a pretty definitive no.
"I've just never worn one," he said. "I'm not gonna change now."
Okay, fair enough. But what if he flubs a grounder and takes another one south of the equator?
"I always feel like if I miss a ground ball, it's my fault and I deserve to get hit in the nuts," Clement said.
What a quote. Clement is a pure, unadulterated Baseball Guy.
Ernie Clement defended his choice to not wear a cup by saying he deserves to get hit in the crotch if he misses a grounder. ((Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images))
I'd argue we should all have that mentality at our jobs. I'd turn in squeaky-clean copy every single time if I thought a typo was going to lead to me doubled over in agony with a voice up a couple octaves.
But not everyone is anti-cup in the Toronto clubhouse.
"I have to protect the nuggets," catcher Brandon Valenzuela said. "I feel naked without it."
That's sound reasoning. I've always argued that a significant portion of a man's life is spent trying to keep things from hitting him in the genitals.
Hell, I could be convinced that wearing a cup all the time just to play it safe is a good idea.
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As it stands, the cup situation is all up to a player, but Valenzuela has got a good point: you always have to protect the nuggets.
Matthew Reigle is a writer for OutKick.
