By now you've probably seen, or at least heard, about Shawn Kelley's infamous glove-slamming incident, which led to his departure from the Nationals.
On July 31, with the Nationals crushing the Mets 25-2, Kelley allowed a two-run home run to Austin Jackson. Clearly frustrated, Kelley ripped off his glove, slammed it to the ground, and looked at his dugout. That was apparently enough for the Nationals to cut ties with their veteran right-hander, designating him for assignment the very next day.
“It was a frustrating evening, and let's just say cooler heads didn't prevail after the game,” Kelley told NBC Sports California. “But I'm a really big believer that everything happens for a reason.”
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SIGN UP HERE The A's acquired Kelley a few days later, after consulting with closer Blake Treinen, who had pitched alongside Kelley in Washington from 2016-17.
“It helped to have a few guys over here who knew me to probably tell these guys, 'Hey, he's a good dude,'” Kelley laughed. “I've had nothing but a blast and love being here, so maybe it was just meant to be.”
Kelley is in his 10th major league season, pitching for his fifth different franchise. A's manager Bob Melvin will not let one moment define the veteran reliever.
"I think that's an isolated incident,” Melvin said at the time. “That's one of the things we talked to Blake about. Blake said this is a great guy and that is completely out of character for him. Sometimes your emotions, on certain days, get away from you a little bit.”
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Kelley has taken advantage of his fresh start in Oakland, pitching 8 2/3 scoreless innings and stranding 14 of 15 inherited runners.
“Just trying to make a good first impression, I guess,” Kelley said with a smile. “It's fun. We really have a [bullpen] where you can pitch anybody in any situation.”
In a deep bullpen full of options to close out games, Melvin feels comfortable turning to Kelley whenever the skipper needs him most.
“He's been terrific for us,” Melvin said. “With the way our bullpen looks going forward, you need some guys who are versatile and can pitch in some different roles, and he's been terrific.”
At 34 years old, Kelley is putting together one of his best seasons, compiling a 2.63 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 41 innings. He is in the final season of a three-year, $15 million contract and is undecided on his future.
“I went into this season with no expectations,” Kelley said. “I'm not playing for another contract. I'm just trying to enjoy this last year and see where life takes me after that.”
Despite his turbulent exit from Washington, Kelley has no ill will toward his former team and is appreciative of his time there.
“I don't feel bad toward anybody over there," he said. "I love those guys and I have all the respect in the world for Davey [Martinez, Nationals manager] and for [Nationals general manager] Mike Rizzo, who brought me in on that deal when I was a free agent.”
Kelley says he has put the Washington incident behind him, and his only focus now is helping the A's reach the postseason for the first time since 2014.
“To have an opportunity with this kind of a team that's hot and has a chance, not only to go to the playoffs, but who knows once we get there, maybe compete and go a lot further, that in itself is pretty special," Kelley said.