NEWSLETTER
Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for him in 2024, with an ERA touching nine and runs allowed in half of his appearances so far.
You could understand, then, him being frustrated after the latest failed outing, which saw the Angels turn a one-run 9th inning deficit into a one-run win. That is to say, I have no judgment for his honest reaction after the game, and instead actually kinda LOVE what he said:
Question: “What it just a matter of command, location, pitch selection? Anything specific?”
Fairbanks, after long pause: “No, I thought it generally sucked. I didn’t think it was a specific suck, I thought it was like an all-encompassing type of suck. So we’re gonna try to rectify that, but for now I’m gonna be pretty pissed about it.”
That’s just good, honest, funny, and memorable. All-encompassing type of suck. That’s the kind of line that sticks with a fanbase for years and years.
