When the Detroit Tigers brought in Joaquin Benoit in the seventh inning of Game 5 on Thursday night, there was a bit of a delay. New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi asked home plate umpire Ted Barrett to ask Benoit to remove a large Band-Aid from his left cheek since it was apparently distracting. Barrett complied with the request and told Benoit, who looked shocked over what was transpiring, to remove the Band-Aid. He did, although he didn't look happy to be having the Band-Aid ripped off his face right before he was about to pitch in a crucial point in the game. (Video of this is after the jump.)
(Via SportsGrid)
My biggest fear was the delay would throw Benoit off his game, and considering he gave up singles to the first two batters he faced and later walked in a run with the bases loaded, it seemed like that was happening. Benoit shook it off, however, and he got out of the jam and pitched another inning before giving way to Jose Valverde.
Since the Tigers won the game, this is now just a comedic footnote in an otherwise stressful night. I'm sure Benoit still doesn't find it all that funny, but it's hard not to laugh at the incident considering the Twitter account @BenoitsBandAid popped up before Game 5 even ended. I mean, how can you not laugh at tweets like this?
@BenoitsBandAid
Band Aid What a crazy night. Ya'll see me on SporsCenter? Still soaked in champagne. Can't wait for #ALCS. When you speak of me use #JustBeGauze
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