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It is Hall of Fame weekend, which means the center of the baseball universe should be Cooperstown, N.Y. While much of baseball royalty will be in Cooperstown, games will be going on at the same time as the ceremony, in which Scott Rolen and Fred McGriff will be inducted. Rolen made it through the traditional vote of baseball writers, McGriff via a special committee.
MLB needs to make the induction ceremony a stand-alone event, meaning that no games are played that day. Until then, the legacies of the players being enshrined gets a little lost in all the other news that happens on a regular day of baseball.
Today’s Headlines
Tucker, Tucker, Tucker
Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker might not have the power numbers he was expecting this season, but he sure showed off his capabilities against the Oakland A’s. Tucker smashed three home runs for the first time in an MLB game to spark the Astros’ 6-4 victory. Tucker sandwiched solo shots in the first and seventh inning around a two-run blast in the fifth. He just missed a four-homer game when he flew out to deep center in the third inning. Tucker now has 17 homers after hitting 30 each of the last two years. Astros closer Ryan Pressly notched his 100th career save.
King Tuck getting us going. pic.twitter.com/UVerfXKvUk
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 22, 2023
Another one. pic.twitter.com/qCIbks7D0y
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 22, 2023
Kyle Tucker home run hat trick. pic.twitter.com/2qZz7t0O3G
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 22, 2023
Soto Smashes
There is little doubt that when Juan Soto is right, he hits the ball like very few can. In the series opener against the Detroit Tigers, Soto showed off his power stroke, crushing a pair that went a combined 910 feet in the San Diego Padres‘ 5-4 victory. Soto opened the scoring with a 447-foot shot in the first inning, then added a two-run, 463-foot rocket in the third inning to stake the Padres to an early 5-0 advantage. Both blasts went to center field in spacious Comerica Park. Soto has 19 homers for the season.
Home Run Probability? 100%#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/EWdfnr8r8h
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 21, 2023
That ball was CRUSHED 😳#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/7CKRcvlcZv
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 21, 2023
Teoscar Time
When Teoscar Hernández returned to Toronto as a member of the Seattle Mariners this season, it was emotional. The Blue Jays played a highlight reel to honor Hernández before the first game. Perhaps a little too overwhelmed, Hernández went 2-for-12 in the series. So when the Jays came to Seattle to begin a series Friday, Hernández had checked his emotions. All the designated hitter did was go 3-for-5, including a walk-off, opposite-field line drive off the right-field wall to give the Mariners a 3-2 victory over the team that traded him.
Looking for a walk-off, eh? pic.twitter.com/odIMb2yGAe
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 22, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
A First At First
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has been an outfielder in his MLB career. But Friday marked the first time he played first base as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery. His familiarity in dealing with outfield walls came in handy.
BRYCE HARPER, FIRST BASEMAN! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/K9BRBB9HiO
— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2023
Realmuto Catches Pitch As Hitter
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto can now say he has caught a pitch from Cleveland Guardians rookie Gavin Williams.
Catchers never take a pitch off. 😂 pic.twitter.com/NgOWE3AOit
— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2023
Dodgers Rookie Flashes Leather
If center fielder Jonny Deluca keeps making defensive plays like this, it will be difficult to keep him out of the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ lineup.
JONNY DELUCA … ON BACK-TO-BACK BATTERS?!
Double robbery for the @Dodgers rookie: pic.twitter.com/gTUn3VvH8A
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (torn ligament in right wrist) will have surgery and miss the rest of the season.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired left-hander Génesis Cabrera from the St. Louis Cardinals for minor-league catcher Sammy Hernandez. Cabrera had been designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Monday.
Catcher Francisco MejÃa (left MCL sprain) was placed on the 10-day IL by the Tampa Bay Rays. Mejia is expected to be out three to six weeks.
Articles You Should Read
How Rolen, McGriff represent the evolving view of the Hall of Fame — Tyler Kepner, New York Times
Explaining MLB’s unlikeliest first-place team — Will Leitch, MLB.com
How have ballpark changes affect Tigers, Mets and Blue Jays? — Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic
Fantasy Baseball Coverage