Jose Abreu's weekend started with a bang. It ended with him getting mobbed by jubilant teammates in the dugout. Jose Abreu's MVP caliber weekend showcased just how important he is to the White Sox and why teammates and coaches alike hold him in such high regard.
On Friday, it looked as if the reigning MVP was seriously hurt. Fans collectively held their breath fearing, that he would be joining Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert on the injured list. While attempting to catch a pop fly, he got in a violent collision with Hunter Dozier. As Abreu raced in from first base to catch the ball, Dozier took off down the line and, the two did not see each other until impact. Both players were on the ground for quite some time and, Abreu needed help off the field. A couple of hours later, Abreu was begging Tony La Russa to put him back in for the second game of a doubleheader. La Russa refused, citing precautionary measures. Abreu's teammates rallied behind Abreu and went out and won the game for their leader.
La Russa said after what Abreu had just gone through that he didn't think there was a chance he would be ready to go the next day. He had a bruised knee and a sore face. Yet there he was batting cleanup and playing first base, sporting a bandage on his face. Nothing was going to keep Pito out of the lineup.
The Southside of Chicago represents toughness. Nobody embodies it more than Jose Abreu. He is continuing the proud tradition of first basemen with a workman-like attitude. Frank Thomas played through several injuries throughout his illustrious career. It took a torn tricep in 2001 to finally sideline him. Paul Konerko took a fastball to the face and refused to leave the game. You can add Jose Abreu's name to White Sox folklore.
On Saturday, the White Sox offense struggled against Mike Minor. He had a no-hitter and a shutout going into the fifth inning. Jose Abreu broke it up with a solo home run. It was the only run the White Sox would score all night.
Offensive production is something Jose Abreu has been associated with since he arrived in Chicago in 2014. He drove in 100 plus runs in each of his first four seasons and hit 30 plus home runs in three of the four. He led the league in slugging percentage his rookie season and took home Rookie of the Year. Abreu has led the MLB in RBI's twice. He is a three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger award winner. Last season was the cherry on top. Abreu led the American League in hits, RBI's, slugging percentage, extra-base hits, and total base hits. He also finished second in home runs and cracked the top ten in batting average,
earning League MVP for his efforts.
On Sunday, the White Sox found themselves deadlocked in a back and forth affair with the Royals. Abreu was productive as usual, recording two hits. With the White Sox trailing he tried to spark a comeback with a leadoff single in the eighth. His teammates failed to drive him in.
In the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied he took one for the team. Abreu leaned into a pitch allowing it to hit him, moving the winning run into scoring position. A batter later, Yoan Moncada appeared to have wasted his efforts when he blew through a stop sign and was thrown out at the plate. It was time for Abreu to take matters into his own hands.
Only 90 feet separated him from a White Sox victory. Abreu rose to the occasion. With Yasmani Grandal and his meager .132 batting average at the plate, Abreu seized the first opportunity he got. Wade Davis threw a wild pitch and, without hesitation, Abreu took off towards home on the same bruised knee that needed aid walking off the field only two days prior. He put his body on the line sliding into home, somehow avoiding Cam Gallagher's tag.
His teammate's reaction told you everything you need to know about how much he means to this ballclub. A picture paints a thousand words.
His value extends beyond the lines. He is a valued member of the clubhouse. He has taken Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, and Yoan Moncada under his wing. Luis Robert might not even be a member of the White Sox organization if not for Abreu's recruiting efforts. Andrew Vaughn, who is in line to be Abreu's future replacement, gave him a giant bear hug after the game. It is not just the younger guys that he rubs off on, he impacts the veterans too.
"He raises everybody up," Adam Eaton said after the game. "A guy like that, that has won MVP and has the accolades that he has, he's going out there every single day, he's putting the effort and love into the game. Who are you to not do that?
"It raises the guys that are younger, that are trying to feel their way through the game. Guys in the middle and the older guys too, it brings everybody up. It brings everybody on that playing field and makes them better. You see that and it's contagious."
Perhaps the biggest praise heaped on Abreu was from his manager Tony La Russa.
"This guy, he's a great player, I was saying yesterday about his toughness. How do you explain how committed he is to playing? What happens the other night, he comes back and plays yesterday and performs. You look at this game today, and that's why he offers you so many examples of his greatness. And the one that nobody sees is what happens in the locker room and the back of the plane.
"What's the highest compliment I can give him? He stands right next to Albert for me."
Tony La Russa has seen his fair share of great players throughout his Hall of Fame career. Albert Pujols was the driving force behind La Russa's World Series-winning teams in St. Louis. La Russa considers Pujols to be like a son to him. After spending just a couple of months with Abreu he has already put him on the same pedestal.
Jose Abreu is the definition of value in MVP.
Adam Eaton described it perfectly when he said, "There's a standard here, and he is the standard."
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