Bartolo Colon once drove his tricked-out car onto the field before a Minor League rehab start
While we still wait to see if Bartolo Colon has found a team to pitch for in 2019 -- which would be his 22nd MLB season -- we have been lucky enough to learn of yet another tremendous story from Colon's remarkable career, courtesy of Kevin Jepsen:
Bartolo Colón = ABSOLUTE LEGEND pic.twitter.com/R6hdWqypNH
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) March 6, 2019
In 2006, Jepsen was the 21-year-old closer on the Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League when a certain big league pitcher needed a rehab start in the Minors. This wasn't just any big leaguer -- it was Colon, fresh off a 2005 season in which he won the AL Cy Young Award. But 2006 wasn't quite as friendly to Colon, who dealt with a myriad of injuries that necessitated several Minor League rehab appearances, including this now-famous one with Rancho Cucamonga.
This hilarious tale also begs the question: Was Bartolo trying to bring back the bullpen cart a whole decade-plus before it made its triumphant return in 2018? Sure, such a vehicle is usually reserved for relievers, rather than the game's starting pitcher arriving a bit late. But he clearly had the same idea. And honestly, we should never doubt Bartolo anymore.
Let's check on Bartolo Colon pic.twitter.com/alqR3diamF
— Matt Monagan (@MattMono11) February 28, 2019
Never.
Jordan Shusterman is one half of Cespedes Family BBQ. He enjoys overpaying for Mike Trout in fantasy baseball leagues and convincing the masses that Mike Zunino is good.