Marcus Stroman gifts Triston McKenzie promised Rolex

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs' Marcus Stroman gifts Guardians' Triston McKenzie promised Rolex

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 4, 2022 2:48 PM ET

A promise is a promise.

As Bryan Mcwilliam mentioned for The Score, Chicago Cubs veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman promised back in January that he would buy up-and-coming Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie an expensive Rolex watch if McKenzie ended the 2022 MLB season with over 160 innings of work completed and an ERA of 3.70 or lower.

McKenzie accomplished that goal seemingly with ease, and Stroman proved to be a man of his word:

He already got it. ‍♂️ https://t.co/C8lLE2WKaZ
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) October 3, 2022

Last one of the regular season today. Let’s finish strong!! Thank you pic.twitter.com/On3Q1aXtgC
— Triston ‍‍ McKenzie (@T_eazy24) October 3, 2022

McKenzie took the bump Monday night against the Kansas City Royals for his last start before the postseason tournament begins, and the 25-year-old will end the regular season with an 11-11 record and a 2.96 ERA across 191.1 innings. The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) notes McKenzie will start the second game of the upcoming wild-card series for the reigning American League Central champions.

"I tried to use tonight as a tester, just trying to get my mind right for the playoffs," McKenzie said of Monday's outing. "There are a lot of nerves for everybody, even moving into this last stretch of games before the playoffs."

As for the watch, The Athletic's Zack Meisel explained that McKenzie, who names "everything" he owns, is calling the piece "Artemis."

That Wimbledon Rolex goes crazy. You’re welcome my brother! https://t.co/3Ro0JuPDhB
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) October 3, 2022

Absolutely insane ❄️
— Triston ‍‍ McKenzie (@T_eazy24) October 3, 2022

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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