John Cena bet this pitcher a dollar that he wouldn't make the Majors, but now he's got to pay up
On Tuesday night, the Padres welcomed another top prospect to the Majors when lefty
And it all had to do with famed wrestler/actor/entertainment mogul and, apparently, motivational speaker, John Cena.
OK not really, but there's a pretty great connection between the two that came to a head as soon as it was confirmed that Logan was getting called up by the Padres.
You see, well before Allen pitched his way up through the Minors, he met Cena at a restaurant and the two struck up a conversation that resulted in Cena betting Allen a dollar he wouldn't make the Majors. It was a symbolic gesture and an excellent motivator for the kid:
Tonight, @Logan__Allen earns his dollar from @JohnCena as he makes his Major League debut.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 18, 2019
Tomorrow, the dollar gets paid in person. #onedollarbet pic.twitter.com/HKecAkSuS4
It's happening.
Never underestimate the value of a dollar. Tomorrow I will gladly pay what is owed. Tonight is something special. #OneDollarBet 🤝⚾️💵 https://t.co/k0oh9KWZIG
— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 18, 2019
Cena was at Petco Park to watch Allen's debut on Tuesday night, so he saw what the lefty was capable of doing on the mound -- and witnessed firsthand the result of the arrangement the two made back when Allen was still dreaming of his first day on a big league mound.
"I texted him 'You owe me a dollar... and he said 'See you there.'"
— FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) June 19, 2019
Logan Allen talks about @JohnCena's impact on him as well as the #onedollarbet.#FriarFaithful | @Padres pic.twitter.com/M96h0TpWkI
It sounds like Cena will make the ceremonial repaying of the dollar on Wednesday, and it'll be a great moment for sure:
Logan Allen began his big-league career with seven shutout innings, collecting his first career hit and first career run along the way. Tomorrow, he will collect a signed dollar bill that will read: "Logan, I was wrong. -John Cena"
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) June 19, 2019
Everything pretty much came full circle with this story, given Allen's dominance on Tuesday night.
Logan Allen strikes out the side in the 7th. He pumps his fist emphatically. John Cena gives him a standing O.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 19, 2019
This whole thing sounds like it's taken straight out of a movie, doesn't it? Congrats to both Allen and Cena on a quirky little story neither of them will forget anytime soon.
Adrian Garro joined MLB.com in 2016. Throughout his travels, both Bartolo Colon and Vin Scully have placed their hands on his shoulders. Not at the same time, though. That'd be amazing.
