Ryan Church plays right field for the New York Mets. He's having a great year so far, with a .310 batting average, 8 home runs and 30 RBIs.
One reason is that, despite having just become a father a couple of months ago, he's getting enough sleep.
In an interview with the New York Times, Church seems to be saying that he figures letting his wife have his baby is thanks enough for getting up in the middle of night with the newborn. Maybe I'm interpreting this wrong. Here's the quote:
HOW ABOUT THE SLEEP? Well, I was expecting it, but I didn’t know it was going to be this bad. Actually, sleepwise, it’s been relatively easy for me. She’s been really good. He cries, she gets up and lets me try to stay there and try to sleep. Still, I wake up, and it’s one of those things where you hear a noise and you’re like, O.K., I have to go pick him up.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO REPAY HER FOR LETTING YOU SLEEP? Having my kid. I’ve gotten her some gifts.
Maybe I'm just jealous. OK, no maybe about it. Because if I said to my wife, "Honey, thanks for getting up with the baby. To show my appreciation, I got you pregnant. Enjoy!" I think I might get a baseball bat upside my head. To be fair, Church is a baseball player, makes $2 million a year, and probably wouldn't be much good at the plate if he couldn't keep his eyes open. (Mets' fans booed Johann Santana, arguably the best pitcher in baseball, the first time he pitched for the Mets this year; I doubt they'd be forgiving of a guy nodding off in the outfield because junior kept him up all night.) Still, his phrasing leaves something to be desired. (Maybe he's been hanging out with Barack Obama.)
Church went on to say that he and the missus were "planning on going on a trip this off-season." When asked if the baby would stay home, he said, "Hopefully. We’ll see how that works."
Excuse me; I think I just fell down from laughing so hard. Okay, I'm back.
Church suffered a concussion during spring training. Maybe he's still a little dopey.
image: Yahoo Sports
