Keith PlocekAll it takes is one sad-sack photo (and a career of middling output) to create an online meme, and Emo Juan Uribe is the latest to step to the plate.
The Dodgers' utility infielder huddles against the wall, staring a thousand yards into the sad distance. For the online world, that picture is just begging to have words written on top of it. But what exactly is Emo Juan Uribe thinking? We emailed the Tumblr account and weren't surprised to get a response from the man himself.
How long have you had a Tumblr?
As you know, Bud won't let us tweet during the games. So that wasn't really an option. And since I go mostly unnoticed in the dugout, I figured I could set up my 1992 Dell Precision on the far end of the bench and keep track of my inner-thoughts in between strikeouts. (Trust me, Dell definitely didn't pay me for that plug).
I tried keeping a diary, but Matt Kemp kept stealing it and reading my entries to the whole team in the clubhouse. Don didn't even tell him to stop. I miss Bruce.
So, to answer your question, since 2011.
What inspired you to start posting photos?
Everyone thinks, “Oh, Juan, you've got it made. You're handsome, you're a millionaire, you've got two rings — you've got it all.” Or, at least, they should think that.
But the reality is, there's a lot of hurt in this world. For example, did you know that humankind thought inventing this was a more pressing issue than ending starvation? And Michael Vick went to prison for two years while Ben Roethlisberger got a four-game suspension. Stephen Hawking has to share a planet with the real housewives of fill-in-the-blank. Genocide is happening, but you go to Chili's and get a (legally trademarked) Triple Dipper appetizer combo.
So forgive me if I can't just sign autographs with a naïve smile and ignore all that's wrong with the world. Although, it's not like I've been asked for an autograph in a while.
How do you feel about the Dodger divorce?
Divorce is never fun. Especially when there are 25 thirty-year-old children involved.
Don't you think emo and baseball are kind of perfect for each other?
Just because we're jocks doesn't mean we don't have emotions. Well, most of us don't, come to think of it. But I know I still tear up every seventh-inning when that beautiful poem “Take me out to the ballgame” is recited lacklusterly by dozens of fans.
What are you really thinking about in that photo?
That it'd be nice to make the All-Star game for once. You know Matt, Andre and Clayton will get invited. I don't want to feel left out. Do you think people would vote for me if I promised to hit a home run?
For more of the meme, visit EmoJuanUribe.com.
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