As Adam Eaton lay in pain on an examination table after the Washington Nationals' game Friday night, his teammates began to gather around him, first 10, then perhaps 15 of them. Some put their hands on the little center fielder called Mighty Mouse and Spanky to try to calm him, ease him, let him know they were with him as medical personnel manipulated his left leg and knee to make a first guess at the damage.
"I'm sorry. I overdid it. If it's Game 7 of the World Series, that's okay," said Eaton, who suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament while straining for the last inch to reach first base and beat out an infield hit in the ninth inning against the Mets.