Normally you would think that if a player, in this case Robert Andino, hit is first major league home run, and a walk-off game winner at that, against the Mets it would lead to a celebration lasting until the wee hours of the morning -- Sadly that wasn't the case.
Andino hastily dressed at his locker moments after his first career homer propelled the Marlins to a 5-4, 10-inning win over the Mets at Dolphin Stadium Tuesday. The revelry ended as soon as he saw the text messages from his wife, Renee.
A man knocked at the door of Andino's south Miami-Dade County home while Renee was on the phone. He repeatedly requested entry, but would not identify himself, saying only, "It's me." According to an early account of the episode that made its way back to Dolphin Stadium, the man ultimately tried to force his way in but left when police arrived.
The couple's two children, Taj (4) and Alijah (23 months), were presumed to be in the house as well.Adding to Andino's anxiety is that he's from the same neighborhood as Sean Taylor, the former University of Miami and Washington Redskins safety who last year was killed after confronting would-be robbers in his home.
That is horrible. On what was the best night in his professional career turned into one of the worst night's in his life. One can only hope that in time he can remember the thrill and celebration of hitting the game winning home run without it being a linger reminder of when his family was potentially threatened.
Needless to say, it is a sad ending to what should have been a happy tale.