Walt Jocketty phone rings at press conference announcing Alfredo Simon trade
The sound of a ringing phone provides the sound track to the four-day event known as baseball’s Winter Meetings. With deals seemingly always in the works, staying in touch with team executives, other general managers, agents and the players themselves is an essential and never-ending responsibility. And even though the baseball world converges in one spot, it covers a lot of ground, meaning phone conversations are often the quickest way to connect.
The point we’re making is that phones are ringing so frequently, those on hand will probably hear several different ringtones in their sleep for weeks to come. With that in mind though, the one time you’re almost assured to escape it is at a press conference announcing an already completed trade.
That wasn’t the case on Thursday. As Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty and his Detroit Tigers counterpart Dave Drombrowski came together to announce a deal sending starting pitcher Alfredo Simon to the Motor City, they were interrupted by the tones of Jocketty’s cell phone.
It was actually a comical scene. Both general managers instinctively reached for their phone at the same time like it was some sort of parody, with a clearly relieved Dombrowski exclaiming, “It’s you” when he realized his screen was clear.
Jocketty blamed the call on his wife, who he said was probably wondering when he was coming home. True or not, we’re not sure how that will go over when he does get home.
Others have speculated that Jocketty was already on to the next deal, given that Mat Latos was traded to the Miami Marlins a short time later.
Whatever the case is, we’re guessing both guys will remember to put the phone on vibrate before the next press conference. In the meantime, we thank them for giving us a light moment to wrap up what turned out to be a wild week in San Diego.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
