The concept of having thick skin, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “an ability to prevent oneself from becoming upset or offended by the actions and words of others.”
Kenley Jansen, the former closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, doesn’t seem to possess this quality.
Back in April 2018, Jansen struggled in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, blowing a 6-3 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. When asked by Andy McCullough, the team’s beat writer for the Los Angeles Times at the time, if his poor performance was due to mechanical issues, Jansen became defensive.
Dismissing questions about his mechanics following the game, Jansen responded with a blunt “Who cares?” when asked about his declining performance.
Years later, Jansen reflected on this incident during an interview on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, acknowledging the backlash he faced due to his dismissive attitude towards the media.
However, it’s worth noting that Jansen’s response was not as prominently featured in the headlines as he recalled. While some newspapers did mention his comment, it wasn’t the main focus of their coverage.
Ultimately, Jansen’s reaction to the question showed a lack of accountability for his performance on the field. Taking responsibility for his mistakes could have helped him handle the situation more maturely.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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