Jury duty is a responsibility that even the most prominent members of society can’t avoid at times. That is apparently unless you are in the MLB and you have an upcoming spring training appearance to prepare for.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Winckowski played a huge role in the team’s bullpen last season, sporting a 2.88 ERA in 84.1 innings pitched on the year.
He is almost certainly going to make the opening day roster again this season for the Red Sox. But that obviously doesn’t mean that he wants to have any distractions come between he and his performance in spring training.
Tom Caron of NESN reported on Wednesday that Winckowski was one of the few remaining candidates for jury duty services on Tuesday. But Winckowski was able to get out of his duties due to his responsibilities with the Red Sox.
“I have to pitch in Clearwater Thursday,” Winckowski reportedly told the court on Tuesday via Caron, which was enough to get him promptly sent home and relieved of his jury duty summons.
Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski had jury duty Tuesday. As candidates were whittled down he remained, and it looked like he would be selected. Asked if there was any reason he couldn’t serve, he said “I have to pitch in Clearwater Thursday.” He was sent home. #RedSox pic.twitter.com/vMWwbsUj5k
— Tom Caron (baseball szn!!!) (@TomCaron) March 13, 2024
It’s an excuse that nearly every American would love to use to be able to get out of their civic duty. And luckily for Winckowski, a career as a baseball star seemingly holds some value in court.
Winckowski has had a very impressive start to his spring, allowing just one earned run in 7.2 innings pitched for the Red Sox thus far.
