If there is any relationship in sports that resembles a marriage, it is the pitcher-catcher relationship in baseball. For it to work, they both have to be on the same page and they have to communicate. They also get to see each other naked at the end of the day/game.
The last part aside, something else that all of us who are married know is, it isn't always blissful. Spouses disagree and argue, as do pitchers and catchers. And for the most part we keep those situations somewhat private.
That is what was odd about what Miguel Montero did after Ian Kennedy's last start against Colorado, in which Kennedy basically pulled himself out of the game after five innings. He told the whole world about their problems-a no-no in marriage and in the clubhouse.
This is what Miggy said:
"He was terrible. We weren't on the same page-he was in a different game. It got to the point where I don't even know what to call. I was [almost like], 'Alright, throw whatever you want, and I'll try to receive it.' We got a game plan, and everything changes when we cross the line? That can't happen. We need to get better communication, and we work together better."
Ouch! What married man or woman wouldn't cringe at the thought of having his or her spouse air that out to everyone?
Now this isn't the first instance we have of Montero sharing the dirty secrets of the Diamondbacks family. We learned about his disagreements with former teammate Jose Valverde, but at least that came after Valverde was kicked out of the house and got "remarried" in Detroit.
Luckily, there was some making up that went on. Kennedy and Montero later "cleared the air" and were closer during the week preparing for Thursday's start against the Padres. Kennedy even says that their marriage working relationship has grown.
"I think we grew closer together. We were communicating between innings, talking about what's working. From there, I just let him take care of it."
Aw! How sweet. That really does sound like a husband and wife. But it's hard to argue the results.
Kennedy's start against San Diego was stellar-seven innings pitched, no runs allowed, and a career-high twelve strikeouts. It was like being newlyweds again.
I once read something about marriage and how if we all were a bit more open about the disagreements that we have with our spouse (acknowledging to other the types of arguments we have), that marriages would go smoother.
I'm not sure if that is true, but in this case it worked for Montero and Kennedy. May they continue their renewed happiness in the years to come.