Baseball is a wonderful game. It features some of the best athletes the world has to offer, some of the most intriguing storylines and moments that create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a beautiful game about overcoming adversity. However, there is always the reminder that the game is humbling and also at times quite cruel to some of the game’s best players and genuinely good people.

There is a stigma in baseball that many players who sign lofty contracts immediately stop caring about the game they love. They stop caring about playing the game or overcoming their struggles at the plate and don’t care about staying healthy because they have already made all their money. If you find yourself believing this to be true, I advise you to watch a clip of Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story holding back tears as he discusses a season-ending shoulder injury.

Trevor Story holding back tears as he talks about his injury pic.twitter.com/xyWJ3w6CPY

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 9, 2024

Does that sound like someone who doesn’t care about playing the game of baseball?

After bursting onto the scene with the Colorado Rockies in 2016, Story quickly became one of the best shortstops in baseball. A quality glove and powerful bat led him to two All-Star games and a pair of Silver Sluggers and made him a valuable free agent following the 2021 season. Despite concerns about his throwing elbow that had hindered him during his final two seasons in Colorado, the Red Sox decided to hand Story a six-year, $140 million contract with the hope that he would bring some stability and power to a middle infield that was likely going to experience some shakeup.

He willingly decided to move to second base for the 2022 season and showed some signs of the type of production he can provide after hitting 16 home runs and driving in 66 runs in 94 games played. While the batting average and on-base percentage weren’t exactly what you’d hope for, Story was a valuable piece for the Red Sox. During the 2022 season Story endured a hand contusion in July that kept him sidelined until August. He then played for a month before a heel contusion ended his season in late September.

Then on October 6, it was announced that Story had undergone elbow surgery to repair his UCL in the arm that had been troublesome for the past few seasons. He missed the majority of the 2023 season only returning in August to finish out the season. He had worked hard to rehab and get back on the field because he wanted to make sure he finished the season the right way on his terms. While he struggled in the 43 games he played, it was a positive sign that he was entering the offseason healthy.

Entering Spring Training in 2024, Story looked phenomenal. Penciled in as the starting shortstop, Story batted .380/.448/.640 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 19 games in Spring Training. By all accounts, he looked like the old player that had debuted back in 2016. He was healthy and ready to produce for a Red Sox team that also needed a leader on the field. Story was ready and able to do that this season despite a slow .226/.294/.323 slash to begin the season. The important thing was that he looked healthy and ready to deliver a full season in the middle of his contract.

For some reason, the baseball fates chose to intervene and the worst scenario imaginable came to fruition for Story. While making a backhand diving grab, the force of his landing on his left shoulder left him in immediate agony as he had dislocated his shoulder and it was later announced he would need surgery to repair a fractured glenoid, effectively ending his season after just eight games.

#RedSox Trevor Story injured his left shoulder on this diving play.

Keep an eye out for an update on the injury. pic.twitter.com/4h81Py5qGH

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) April 6, 2024

Injuries are a part of baseball, but the rate at which some players constantly have to deal with them is a reminder that the game isn’t fair. The game does not issue injuries and struggles equally among the player base. We are currently seeing of the game’s top pitchers needing Tommy John surgery while others deal with nagging oblique strains and hamstrings or other ailments. As a fan of the game, you can’t help but feel for players like Story who have worked so diligently to get back on the field. A player who has prepared and worked incredibly hard to make sure he can a full season and deliver on the confidence the Red Sox showed when they signed him. To lose a season to a freak injury on an incredible defensive play no doubt, is a cruel reminder that the game of baseball is no real respecter of persons.

After three seasons in Boston, Story has played in just 145 games and slashed .227/.288/.394 with just 19 home runs. To believe he doesn’t care is a foolish notion, something that his former teammate Eric Hosmer shared on a podcast with Peter Moylen.

Trevor Story the baseball worlds behind you my man. Wishing you a healthy and speedy recovery 🙏🏼#trevorstory #RedSox #bostonredsox pic.twitter.com/dBM2GmJ4Qe

— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHos305) April 12, 2024

One can only hope that Story can recover fully and return in 2025 and finally be granted the full season of quality production that he deserves so that fans can continue to remember that 99.99% of players truly do care about the game and it kills them when they aren’t able to be on the field with their teammates. Story is one of the game’s good guys and to lose him is an unfortunate circumstance not only for the Red Sox, but the game of baseball in general.