Blue Jays Outfielder's Tattoo Leads to Uncomfortable Exchange
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Yohendrick Pinango has become a topic of conversation not only for his performance on the field but also for a distinctive tattoo on his neck. The ink, featuring big red lips on the left side of his neck, caught the attention of the New York Yankees commentary team during Monday night's game at Yankee Stadium.
During the fifth inning, as Pinango stepped up to bat, former Blue Jays pitcher David Cone, Yankees legend Paul O'Neill, and play-by-play announcer Michael Kay noticed the tattoo. Cone asked, "Has he got lips on his neck? Is that what it is?" O'Neill speculated, "I was gonna say, either mom gave him a big kiss, or he's got a tattoo." Cone responded, "That's pretty good, I like that. I want one. I want to get one of those," before adding that he "wouldn't put it on my neck." The comment led to a moment of silence as the broadcasters realized the potential double entendre. Kay broke the silence, saying, "Sometimes silence is my best option." Cone acknowledged the awkwardness, noting, "The booth goes silent on you, you know it." O'Neill then defused the situation by joking that he had "hit the mute point" and didn't hear what Cone said.
Why Does Pinango Have the Lip Tattoo?
When asked about the tattoo, Pinango offered a simple explanation during an interview with Shi Davidi. "When you're young, you do things," he said. "I liked it, so I did it." The outfielder, who was called up from the minors earlier this season, has made a strong impression with his play. In his first stint with the Blue Jays, he batted .423 over 10 games before being sent back to triple-A when Addison Barger returned from the injured list. However, he was recalled just days later after Nathan Lukes was injured. Through Tuesday night's game, Pinango posted a slash line of .327/.375/.423 with one home run and eight RBIs.
