Not many sights in baseball more welcome last night than seeing Brian Roberts back in a major league lineup. The Orioles’ second baseman, sidelined for 13 months due to a concussion, made his return and went 3 for 4 with a sac fly.
The crowd gave him a standing ovation. And he was clearly emotional about it all after the game:
“I actually got a little more emotional than I thought I was going to. It took me a second to gather myself. It was very special and much appreciated, that’s for sure. Everyone has been so good to me here in my career, the fans have been so great and supportive of me the whole time. That was very special … I’m just so grateful. I sometimes don’t have words right now for what I’ve been through and where we are now. I’m humbled and grateful to have the opportunity.”
Maybe it’s irrational, but it’s so much harder to see a guy lose extended time to a concussion than it is to, say, a leg or arm injury. I’m not sure why that is. Either way, it’s so nice to see Roberts back.
