Welcome back to the Thunderdome!
We’re back at it again today, pitting some of the most intense moments of the 2021 MLB season against one another in an effort to determine the single greatest bat flip of the year. After a thrilling first day of matchups, the field has halved in size, and we are down to eight finalists vying for the Thunderdome crown. Which moments will live to see another day, and which will bite the dust? You decide!
Let’s check in with our updated bracket:
And once again, here are the rules:
- Bracket seedings have been randomized
- You will be voting on the best batting celebration, which includes the bat flip/drop as well as anything the hitter does running down the first base line (e.g. pounding their chest, yelling at the dugouts, etc.)
- You can only vote on a matchup once, so make sure you pick the one you absolutely want.
- Voting will continue until 12:00 a.m. EST the following morning.
Now strap in, because the next four matchups are sure to be a wild ride.
Brian Goodwin vs. Taylor Trammell
We’re starting the show today with what is sure to be a bloodbath, with two tournament favorites going head to head in only the second round. Brian Goodwin and his moonscraping toss soared past Jorge Soler in the first round, by a 64% majority. Goodwin will attempt to keep rolling against Taylor Trammell’s innovative double-flip, which beat out Jurickson Profar’s first-round toss by capturing a slightly larger 68% vote. It’s truly anyone’s guess as to who will emerge victoriously, and both flips have legitimate chances of taking home the crown if they can survive to the semifinals.
https://gfycat.com/dimpledsecondaryblackwidowspider
VS.
https://gfycat.com/eminenthighbarbet
Carlos Correa vs. Jesse Winker
Carlos Correa stormed through his first-round matchup, thrashing Fernando Tatis‘ second bat flip with 71% of the community vote. It remains to be seen, however, if Correa’s presence in the Electric Eight means time is up for his Cincinnati opponent, slugging outfielder Jesse Winker. Winker’s nasty toss off of his back foot was the cherry on top of his monster home run, and shook Great American Ballpark into an uproar. Is it enough to get through to the next round? You decide!
https://gfycat.com/falsespectacularatlanticbluetang
VS.
https://gfycat.com/enragedrespectfulamericancrayfish
Jeff McNeil vs. Fernando Tatis Jr.
In the tightest matchup of the first round, decided by a single vote, Jeff McNeil barely squeaked by Trevor Story, and his lofty bat flip from early April lived to see another day. The way McNeil immediately launches his bat skyward is picture-perfect, but he still has a tall task ahead of him if he hopes to knock off the defending Thunderdome champion in Fernando Tatis Jr. In 2021, Tatis reminded everyone why he was the best show in baseball with a flurry of flips, highlighted by this blast and smoother-than-silk followup that propelled him past Nick Castellanos in the first round.
https://gfycat.com/maturelineardrafthorse
VS.
https://gfycat.com/shamelessjoyouslice
Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Tim Anderson
Rounding out the Electric Eight are Ronald Acuña Jr. and Tim Anderson, who lit up their first-round matchups to go toe-to-toe here in the Thunderdome. Both players turned on the razzle-dazzle in their post-flip festivities, with Acuña reloading his arms and pounding his chest, and Anderson personally sending the Yankees to the showers with an “it’s over” gesture. It’s another case where you can’t really go wrong with either swing, but a winner must be crowned. No cop-outs!
https://gfycat.com/terriblequarrelsomearcherfish
VS.
https://gfycat.com/foolishsilverappaloosa
Sheesh. These are going to be tough. Be sure to follow along with the 2021 Bat Flip Thunderdome on Twitter, and to come back tomorrow to see how your favorite celebrations fared! Also, be sure to build your case for the ones you think are the best in the comments section below. You might just sway someone to your side.
Until next time!
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Featured Graphic Designed by James Peterson (Follow @jhp_design714 on Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn)