Indians urge Meritt to send signed 'shaking boots' to Bautista
Cleveland Indians rookie starter Ryan Merritt came out of virtually nowhere to help his club eliminate the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.
The first-year pitcher put together a two-hit, three-strikeout performance over 4 1/3 innings in Game 5 of the ALCS, winning this round with Jose Bautista and upping the value of his autograph:
Quotes from before the bottles popped:
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 19, 2016
"Merritt, speech!"
"He's shaking in his boots!"
"Sign them and send them to Bautista!"
Of course, Cleveland's players were referring to Bautista's comments about Merritt from Tuesday, when Toronto's slugger said the rookie would be "shaking in his boots" against the Blue Jays' lineup.
Related: Indians troll Blue Jays for 'shaking in his boots' quote
Cleveland's third baseman Jose Ramirez also expressed delight at Merritt's performance on Twitter:
#ShakingBoots are going to the #WorldSeries!!!!! #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/dOEQW7nc0c
— Jose Ramirez (@MrLapara) October 19, 2016
Savage.