CLEVELAND – It’s a rare day when Jose Abreu takes a day off, let alone asks for one, but Thursday was one of those days.
“A well-deserved rest,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “He doesn’t take too many of them. One of the few days he’s asked for one.”
Abreu, 32, discussed taking the day game after a night game off before the Sox’ 8-6 loss to the Indians Wednesday. Before the Sox finished a seven-game road trip Thursday, he discussed failing to tag up from third base on Eloy Jimenez’ deep drive to center. Jimenez was robbed by center fielder Oscar Mercado’s diving catch that Yoan Moncada on second, James McCann on first, Renteria and everyone at Progressive Field thought would go to the wall for extra bases.
“My mistake,” Abreu said through a translator. “I got too excited because I never thought that Mercado had a chance to catch that ball, and that cost us a run. I feel bad. I apologized to Eloy, I apologized to Ricky. That was the right thing to do because when you make a mistake like that, you are costing one of your teammates some stats. I apologize to all of them.’’
Ryan Goins struck out to end the game. Moncada on second was the tying run, so Abreu’s miscue did not cost the Sox the game.
“Everyone has to look at the game realistically,” Renteria said. “That wasn’t the game.”
Abreu, who is one homer shy of his fourth 30-homer, 100-RBI season, ranks second in the American League with 106 RBI. He was relaxed and in a good mood despite the Sox’ recent run of eight losses in nine games. He believes in the Sox’ young talent and wants to return after his contract runs out after the season.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m telling you guys if the team doesn’t sign me, I’m going to sign myself here,” he said. “I know that we have talent to compete and to be a World Series champion team. I’m telling you I know the talent is here and I want to be part of this.”
Abreu routinely expresses his deep affection for his mother, who gives him a hard time on the rare days he takes a day off.
Abreu himself almost always objects when Renteria wants to give him one.
So are you OK with this one, Jose?
“Yes,” Abreu said.
Is your mother?
“Maybe.”
