Erik Kratz once made $2,000 on a dare to faceplant during Opening Day introductions
The Brewers were off on Thursday, as they rested up for the critical Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, which will be back at Miller Park on Friday. If the Brewers lose, their season will be over, but if you're wondering whether veteran catcher Erik Kratz is tense, you don't have anything to worry about.
ESPN's Buster Olney relayed a funny story and video on Thursday night about one of Kratz's previous stints around the Majors. In 2016, he began the season on the Astros' Opening Day roster. Supposedly, one of his teammates offered up a cash prize to anybody willing to faceplant during introductions.
The journeyman happily accepted:
Kratz was quick to confirm the story to Olney -- albeit with a slight edit:
Amazing. That's why Kratz is so easy to love.
We have to wonder, though: What was Kratz's reaction in the clubhouse upon winning the dough? We're guessing it was a combination of this ...
... and the infamous Johnny Manziel money sign.
Either way, it's clear that Kratz is taking business advice from Creed Bratton. It makes sense, as Kratz later followed Bratton to Scranton, where he began the 2018 season before moving on to glory with the Brewers.