Rougned Odor will never go hungry again — as long as he does not mind Texas barbecue.
The Fort Worth restaurant Heim Barbecue is promising the Rangers second baseman free food for life in recognition of his nasty right hook to Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista’s face.
The restaurant’s owner, Travis Heim, told the local NBC affiliate his restaurant is embracing Odor. They even printed t-shirts in his honor.
“We just thought it would be a funny thing if we Rougie free food because he wasn’t the only one who wanted to punch Bautista after last year, so you know, it’s kind of a justice, a little bit,” said owner Travis Heim.
Heim also is selling t-shirts promoting the free-food offer with the words “Rougned eats free” on the front.
He said response has been overwhelming.
“We originally were going to print 40,” Heim said. “I think now we’re up to close to 200.”
Rangers fans are wasting no time in backing up their young star. Odor recently had
a drink named after him and his punch, and he might not have to pay for anything when he goes out in Texas ever again.
It’s not all good news for Odor. The MLB was not as pleased with his actions as the Rangers’ fanbase, and he still faces an
eight-game suspension with a $5,000 fine. Odor is currently in the appeals process, but even if his appeal is successful he is still likely to miss a few games.
Odor still has not said if he will visit Heim Barbecue, but Heim said he will be ready if he does — he just hopes Odor does not eat him out of business.
It’s not clear if Odor plans to eat the free barbecue, but Heim said, “It would be an honor if he did.”
“Hopefully he doesn’t like barbecue too much because then we might be in the red,” he said. “It’s just a fun deal, you know.”
[NBC DFW]
