Matt Duffy has earned his spot on the Royals this season by lining up all across the infield dirt. But after what happened to him in the first inning of Monday’s game against Guardians, he might want to re-examine his role as a utility infielder by investing in a new first baseman’s glove.
Cleveland’s first batter of the game, Steven Kwan, hit a routine ground ball to Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., whose throw to Duffy at first base was right on the money. The only problem? Duffy’s glove inexplicably failed in its duty to stop the ball, and it went right through the webbing and allowed Kwan to reach base safely.
A hole in one. pic.twitter.com/0Axo3idi43
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2023
Through no fault of his own, Duffy was charged with an error, though thankfully for him the equipment mishap didn’t cost Kansas City on the scoreboard. The next batter, Amed Rosario, reached base on a single, though the following three hitters were retired in order.
Duffy’s misfortune is not the first of its kind, as the game has provided similar instances of balls going through (or getting stuck inside of) the webbing of a glove. But any time something like this happens, it’s a good reminder that even the best baseball players in the world are subject to random bad luck—like an equipment malfunction—that’s completely outside of their control. Professional athletes: They’re just like us.
