"She hates watching baseball with me" - Padres’ Jackson Merrill reveals girlfriend's hilarious reaction to his intense game-watching habits
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill made a triumphant return to the field on Sunday in the series-closer of their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. He recorded a hit and a run scored as he returned from a concussion that kept him out for over a week.
Merrill has been sidelined since June 14 after suffering a concussion against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, the 22-year-old disclosed his experiences while recovering from the freak injury. Jackson Merrill started off by describing the humorous reactions that his girlfriend expressed when they were watching baseball games on the television set.
“She hates watching baseball with me," said Merrill. “Like, it’s so much easier to watch a baseball game on TV and know what’s going to happen. Like, what pitch is coming. It’s easier to read … but I’m sitting there and she’s just like, ‘Stop it, stop it; you’re stressing me out.’ “That’s just how I am. I’m wired that way," he added.
The Padres star then went on a more serious note and addressed the process and routine he underwent while recovering.
“It was a slow week overall. It started slow and got progressively better. But I think after the team came back and I spent a day around people, it got me more in the mindset and mood to get going. Just kind of just being chill all week, it’s not good for me. I like to be active all the time. So slow was tough, but I’m back and ready to go and good energy all around.”
Jackson Merrill robbed of a home run by highly-touted Royals prospect
Merrill impressed on his return to action, but he could have had more if not for the heroics of the Royals' highly-touted prospect Jac Caglianone.
In the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner at first base, the Padres star smashed the ball to deep right field at Petco Park. However, Caglianone made a spectacular grab that denied him a go-ahead two-run home run. The catch was so admirable that even Jackson Merrill tipped his helmet to the rookie.
The Padres would have the last laugh, though, winning on a walk-off fielder's choice and clinching a close series against the Royals.