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Players’ Weekend ends with Appreciation Day
This weekend in baseball was a little extra special thanks to Players’ Weekend. Scott had you covered with Friday’s fun and Steve covered players’ charity and community efforts on Saturday, but Sunday’s theme was all about appreciation! Players around the league highlighted the people that supported their journey to the big leagues. Check out the best moments section for some of the most thoughtful and unique Appreciation Day moments!
Tigers win Little League Classic
Players’ Weekend came to a close on Sunday night with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers facing off in the Little League Classic game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Little League World Series players, coaches, and families made up most of the crowd, making for a fantastic atmosphere. The end to the game was just as exciting as the Tigers didn’t let a Tarik Skubal start go to waste. They tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the 9th and scored 2 in the bottom of the 10th to walk it off. Parker Meadows was the hero of the night with his walk-off single.
Prior to the game, Yankees and Tigers players interacted with Little Leaguers making for some lifelong memories. Yankees players rode the bus and sat in the stands with some Little League players, while Tigers players played video games and ping pong with others.
A bus ride with the Bombers #LittleLeagueClassic @MLB pic.twitter.com/szKcLwWElA
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 18, 2024
All fun and games. #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/mPXnwfDeut
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 18, 2024
Additionally, Joe Torre and two little leaguers announced next year’s Little League Classic game: the New York Mets vs. Seattle Mariners.
The @Mets and @Mariners will be heading to Williamsport for next year's #LittleLeagueClassic!
Mark your calendars for August 17, 2025.
(MLB x @NewYorkLife) pic.twitter.com/5LgDHsTrUX
— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2024
This & That
The segment that highlights some top performers worthy of praise! Sunday’s players include:
- Dylan Carlson: 2-for-4, stolen base, and walk-off hit
- Bowden Francis: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 14 whiffs
- Adolis García: 2-for-5 with a game-tying home run in the 7th inning
- A rare 8-9-4-2 double play from the Marlins!
DYL DOES IT pic.twitter.com/gKqvtSFtS8
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 18, 2024
Bowden Francis, K'ing the Side in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/sQyJsuIXUH
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 18, 2024
Brand new ballgame. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/numADf1vJH
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 18, 2024
this is the first time an 8-9-4-2 double play has happened since at least 1900!
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/5OCK4wDZlt
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 18, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Day 3 of Players’ Weekend: Appreciation Day
Players celebrated the people who’ve supported them on their quest to play professional baseball and throughout their big league journeys. Here are some of the best moments from Appreciation Day.
When it's Pablo Day during Player's Weekend 🤩
Check out @pablojoselopez's custom cleats – featuring his family, Venezuela and causes that he cares about!!! pic.twitter.com/sgvqrHAvb3
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 18, 2024
Sit down and grab your tissues 🥹#PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/X2xX5VJXOm
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 18, 2024
The way that Bobby Witt Jr. speaks about his sisters will have your heart melt 🥹 #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/E9GzYwnUKO
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
"I'm a professional baseball player … but I love that to them I'm just daddy." 🥹 pic.twitter.com/b38dfjsMOf
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
Jordan Walker will take the field today in custom cleats in memory of Cardinals amateur scout Charles Peterson.
Peterson scouted in the Cardinals organization from 2012 through his untimely passing in 2020, playing an instrumental role in the drafting and signing of Walker and… pic.twitter.com/UDskcvtuv2
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 18, 2024
Gems from the Little League Classic
Some players are so good at interacting with young fans. When he was with the Miami Marlins, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was always signing autographs for kids after the game. Although he’s in a different uniform now, his genuine desire to connect with young fans hasn’t changed. Here is Jazz explaining a really sweet moment he had with a young fan, and more of my favorite moments from the Little League Classic.
Jazz Chisolm (@j_chisholm3) met a Little Leaguer from Nevada.
"I followed him on Instagram, and now he’s like my little brother. … I’m gonna make sure he gets to the big leagues one day. I told him I’m gonna be your big brother from here, and I’m gonna make sure you get it.” pic.twitter.com/Ma5xyM7cuI
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) August 18, 2024
Jazz Chisholm Jr. has spent most of the #LittleLeagueClassic sitting in the stands with these kids 🫶 pic.twitter.com/epgPX9BAme
— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2024
Casually getting Gerrit Cole's approval during a bullpen session #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/ppqDy5sypD
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
A pin from The Captain, @TheJudge44 #LittleLeagueClassic x @Yankees pic.twitter.com/cJPsHFotJg
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 18, 2024
Kenta Maeda is a Team Japan favorite at the #LittleLeagueClassic ❤️🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/iai0HuNV1z
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
Say you're at the #LittleLeagueClassic without saying you're at the #LittleLeagueClassic. pic.twitter.com/NcOrDcZOsj
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 18, 2024
Baseball is the universal language ⚾️💙#LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/u4wEVUd0Fr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 18, 2024
Former A’s say goodbye to the Oakland Coliseum
Former A’s player and gem of a human Mark Canha said goodbye to the Oakland Coliseum after the Giants’ final trip to the Oakland Coliseum. He was seen taking some dirt from around home plate. Longtime A’s third baseman Matt Chapman also requested a third base to take home.
San Francisco Giants' Mark Canha scoops up dirt from home plate after their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Aug. 18, 2024. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2 in 10 innings. This is the Giants last game at the Coliseum after this season. pic.twitter.com/F6NPx6OkFV
— Jose Carlos Fajardo (@FuzyJoe) August 18, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ 1B Yandy Díaz left Sunday’s game with a forearm contusion.
⚾ 3B Austin Riley was hit by a pitch on the hand on Sunday. After the game Atlanta’s manager Brian Snitker said, “All the tests he had here were inconclusive. So we are going to wait until tomorrow and get him to our people.” The team should provide more information later today, but from Snitker’s response, an IL stint seems likely.
⚾ RP Pete Fairbanks has a lat strain and will go on the injured list.
⚾ OF Brandon Nimmo exited Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and will go for an MRI later today.
⚾ SP Reynaldo López will start for Atlanta on Tuesday.
⚾ IF Amed Rosario was claimed off waivers by the Reds.
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