On Thursday, Shane Bieber put together one of the best outings of his young Major League career, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just three hits in the Cleveland Indians' 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The win marked the 23-year-old Bieber's first of the 2019 season and the 12th of his MLB career.
The real victory, however, came after the contest, in the Indians' clubhouse.
It was there that fellow starting pitcher Trevor Bauer gifted gifted Bieber with a replica gold crown, indicating that he is this week's "King of the Hill" on the Cleveland pitching staff.
The Indians' new tradition began at the start of this season, when Bauer won it following the team's season-opening series vis the Minnesota Twins. Clevinger then earned the honor following his 7-inning, 12-strikeout performance in the team's home opener vs. the Chicago White Sox, with Bauer regaining the crown for his seven-inning, no-hit performance vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, in which he was pulled after throwing 117 pitches.
According to Clevinger, the Indians five starters meet after each series to determine who will don the crown, with nominees being given the opportunity to state their respective cases. On Thursday, it was Bieber who took ahold of the throne, although the ceremonial polaroid picture will have to wait with Clevinger's recently diagnosed back injury keeping him back in Cleveland.
Next up for the Indians is a three-game series at the Kansas City Royals. Carlos Carrasco will take the mound Friday, with Jefry Rodriguez making his Indians debut on Saturday and Corey Kluber towing the rubber Sunday.
In other words, Bieber's days as royalty are already running out.
