Do you know who I am?
The Cleveland Indians are 24-18 and 3.5 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox atop the American League’s Central division. Among the many contributors to the Tribe’s good start to the season is relief pitcher Joe Smith, who is 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 19 games.
Middle relievers often go unnoticed by many and typically don’t get much of the spotlight. As far as bullpen arms go that’s usually reserved for the closer. The right-hander, who is in his fourth season with the Indians, found out when he was shut out in an attempt to enter a local bar that he isn’t the most recognizable member of the team.
According to the Put-In-Bay police incident report, Smith was denied entrance to the Roundhouse Bar on Catawba Avenue because he didn’t have proper ID to verify his age.
He told security he was a Cleveland Indians pitcher but security said they did not recognize him and, despite that, he needed proper ID for admittance.
The report states that an alleged verbal confrontation then took place between Smith and a member of the bar’s security staff after Smith was allegedly called a derogatory name.
Smith and his companions were removed from the property and police were called.
Smith and another member of the party, who allegedly physically assaulted a man, were later handcuffed but eventually released.
In last night’s 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers Joe Smith came in to face one batter, retiring him on just one pitch. Brief appearances like that won’t do much for him becoming a household name in the Cleveland area so Smith may want to make sure he has proper identification next time.
Pitching for a MLB team isn’t ID. I was in military uniform and couldn’t get a drink when I forgot my ID. He gets no sympathy from me
Military uniform isn’t ID.You get no sympathy for me…
I get he pitches for the Indians. But, even if you are a superstar (e.g. Derek Jeter of the Yankees), not everyone might know you. Besides, I would still carry ID just in case.