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It was an electric night that capped off a week of sparks.
Behind Lance Lynn’s 111 pitches and an opening volley by José Abreu and Yoán Moncada, Yermín Mercedes stepped up to the plate last Friday and delivered a 485-foot love letter to his fans on a rainy Chicago night.
This was just the latest episode in the Mercedes saga, which began on April 3 with his historic 5-for-5 start.
Since then, our Yerminator has become a household name around town, snagging the White Sox some rare attention from the national media. Some rookie ballplayers would crumble under the sudden pressure and expectations. But Mercedes is no rookie, and his 10 years laboring in the minors make him treasure every moment in the Big Show.
And all the extra attention? It’s only motivating him more.
Good thing, too, because with the recent slew of injuries on the Sox bench, any added bat power is most welcome. After his historic first week, Yermín Mercedes has befittingly earned a middle spot in Tony La Russa’s lineup.
This is his first appearance here as Player of the Week, but just like his colossal home run last Friday, it won’t be his last.
If you’re interested in seeing more of Mitch’s work, or if you’d like to purchase original drawings or prints, contact him via Twitter (@soxsketcher), Instagram (@southsidesharpie), or by e-mail at southsidesharpie@gmail.com. Thanks for supporting local artists!