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The start of Jacob deGrom’s life as a member of the Texas Rangers isn’t exactly going as planned.
After sitting out of the team’s first Spring Training workout with “soreness”, deGrom has once again made headlines for a less-than-ideal reason, albeit this time around, it’s over something a bit more intangible.
Participating in the team’s photo day, deGrom was apparently asked to fill out a grade school-style chalkboard that highlights aspects of his personality such as his favorite color and favorite food. One of deGrom’s answers, however, seems to be raising some eyebrows.
Under the “Childhood Hero” section — a place where regular people would write something like “my Dad” or “Batman” or “Nolan Ryan” — deGrom bizarrely wrote “none” and immediately got clowned on for the serial killer energy that his answer gave.
“Childhood hero: none” I’m glad to see deGrom is still giving off serial killer energy pic.twitter.com/lnw2wWwMgT
— Cara Jeffrey (@cara_jeffrey) February 21, 2023
Given how bizarre of an answer it is (who doesn’t have a childhood hero?), baseball fans were quick to get on deGrom’s case:
How can someone be the most electrifying pitcher and still have the personality of a wet blanket? https://t.co/cwzeB0cWAy
— Jorden (@cap_jrm) February 22, 2023
Favorite TV show: commercials https://t.co/PaWT3v2DMs
— Alexander (@alexpenvose) February 22, 2023
I’ve seen this picture like 20 times in the last day. Childhood hero: none is still so jarring.
Like who doesn’t have a childhood hero? Who doesn’t think to at least make it up? How did the Rangers marketing department say “no this is a good idea, Jake.” https://t.co/NsghtuM1DI
— Matt (@MattGrasso5) February 22, 2023
Back in December, the 34-year-old deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers after spending the first eight years of his professional career with the New York Mets.
Last season, the Texas Rangers posted a 68-94 record. Despite this, deGrom said he joined the organization because of their “vision” of winning “year in and year out.”
Hi my name is Jacob and I share 97% of my DNA with a loaf of wonder bread https://t.co/VRcREZas8K
— saweaty (@Joe_Effin) February 22, 2023
A man of personality https://t.co/CN1sEadmO8
— Bri (@BBenton99) February 22, 2023
At least put your fucking mom &/or dad for childhood hero. NONE💀 https://t.co/odrfP5ZPNB
— MandaFLOORian (@dom_q94) February 21, 2023
The Texas Rangers are set to begin their 2023 season against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, March 30, at 4:05 p.m. If deGrom is healthy, he’ll likely be the team’s Opening Day starter, although that’s a big if considering deGrom’s struggles with injuries in recent years.
Heading into the 2023 season, the Houston Astros are the favorites to win the World Series with betting odds of about +600. The New York Mets, the team deGrom left, have the third-best odds at +800, while the Texas Rangers are in the middle of the pack with odds of +5000.