Well, if you stayed up to finish watching the Dodgers and Padres marathon game on Wednesday as I did, you’re bound to be tired. I know I am. It was a good game, but it went on forever. However, that wasn’t the only thing that happened in baseball on Wednesday. In fact, we got one of the most heartwarming moments we’ve gotten all year, among other things. Let’s get into it.
Adell Makes Someone’s Day
When you’re a young baseball fan at a game, there’s nothing more you want than to get an autograph or be on TV. It’s part of the experience. You wait by the dugout to try to get an autograph or you make a clever sign to hold during the game so you might get a spot on the broadcast. However, for one fan, they got a little more than that on Wednesday.
Angels outfielder Jo Adell threw a ball to a fan into the stands and knocked a kid’s drink out of his hand. To make up for this accident, he did this:
https://twitter.com/SethhMclaughlin/status/1430680913688543232?s=20
This is one of the most thoughtful things I’ve seen in a long time. Adell saw that he knocked the drink out of his hand and remembered where he was. Then, after an inning of hitting, he remembered to bring him a bat. AND, he took a picture with him and gave him a fist bump.
What an awesome thing for Adell to do. I’m sure this fan has a new favorite player.
Franmil’s Big Homer
Like Adell, Franmil Reyes made a meaningful connection with a fan. He threw a ball into the stands and it landed with a woman who is fighting cancer:
"…when I threw you the ball, I came up to bat and said 'Please, God, let me hit this for Jessica.'"
Before Franmil's last at bat of the night, where he hit a home run, he threw a ball up to a woman sitting behind the dugout.
Jessica has cancer and is almost done with chemo. pic.twitter.com/ukOgsl83Zb
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 26, 2021
This has to get you into your feelings and make you tear up a little. Her and Reyes smiling at each other is just a wonderful picture. Not to mention, her husband’s shirt is very much wrong. There is crying in baseball, especially with this.
The O’s End the Streak
You might have been aware that the Orioles lost 19 baseball games in a row. That’s a lot! And I’m sure it was very hard on the players. That is an unbelievably brutal stretch. But they snapped it on Wednesday. And it was great, just look at the Orioles’ Twitter account.
Before the game, Trey Mancini and Austin Wynns decided they need to cleanse the dugout:
3:45 PM – @TreyMancini and @AustinWynns cleanse the dugout energy with sage.
10:26 PM – O’s extend the winning streak to one.
👏Orioles👏Magic pic.twitter.com/oBC3L1WoFH
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 26, 2021
Then, after being down 6-2, they came back to take the lead:
THE LEAD. pic.twitter.com/AnmU8UhQCo
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 26, 2021
And, eventually the win:
To quote Big Sean:
Last 19 nights took an L, but tonight I bounce back. pic.twitter.com/GTZakUqGAv
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 26, 2021
That had to be such a good feeling for the O’s. Going through nearly three weeks’ worth of games without a win has to take a toll on the morale of the players and coaching staff. But, they got it done. And John Means knew it was time.
Also John said, “today is the day” when I dropped him off this morning 🥲
— Caroline (Stanley) Means (@CarolineStan) August 26, 2021
Gavin Weir. That’s it.
The Little League World Series is always such a treat to watch. You can see little kids achieve a dream on the biggest stage. And no one is taking advantage of that stage more than Gavin Weir.
Weir is a left-handed pitcher for South Dakota and he has been dominating the tournament so far. Dominating might be a bit of an understatement, actually.
Gavin Weir is UNREAL. 🤯 @BRWalkoff
The South Dakota lefty has allowed ONE hit in his last eight games.
Struck out 114 of 132 batters.
Threw his 4th no-hitter of the summer today.
(via @LittleLeague) pic.twitter.com/epbEPrrW5L
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 25, 2021
I mean, I don’t even know what to say about those numbers. He threw a no-hitter on Wednesday with 14 strikeouts. In six innings! Striking out 114 batters in 132 innings is absolutely absurd. To keep up this level of dominance against the best little leaguers in the country is something that will be remembered for a long time, as will Weir. Keep up the good work, kid.
Oh, and, does this look familiar?
This is Little Leaguer Gavin Weir and Big Leaguer Chris Sale.
Spot the difference.
JK, there isn’t one 🤯
(via @PitchingNinja)pic.twitter.com/p8uGoQ32qn
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) August 25, 2021
Edward Cabrera’s MLB The Show Stats?
Marlins’ prospect Edward Cabrera made his MLB debut on Wednesday, holding the Nationals scoreless through six innings. Cabrera had dominated at the Triple-A level, earning his call up for a struggling Marlins squad.
However, instead of a scouting report or even the 20-80 scale, the broadcast did something a little different. They showed his MLB The Show stats:
THE MARLINS BROADCAST ARE SHOWING EDWARD’S MLB THE SHOW ATTRIBUTES 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/uGUJyjiAPU
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) August 25, 2021
Yeah, sure. This is one way to do it, I guess! This probably requires a bit of knowledge about the game, but it’s also easy enough to see that he’s really good. Either way, it’s definitely unique and something I definitely haven’t seen before. I wonder if any other broadcast will try to do this, or if it’s just a one-time thing.
Well, I hope you take a nice nap after that Dodgers-Padres game. Enjoy your Thursday!