It’s always nice to get to sit down on Saturday afternoon and just watch 11+ straight hours of baseball, but sometimes I get the worst possible thing you can see on an MLB.tv split-screen:
Thankfully these horrible moments are generally far and few between, so let’s get into the good stuff that isn’t ad breaks…
Fancy Footwork
There’s a lot to be said about the Yankees as of late, but so much of it is a little too straightforward for this article (8-0-2 in their last 10 series, you love to see it,) but yesterday we got to see an example of the much-vaunted, seldom-seen umpire athleticism as Chad Whitson has to think fast to dodge a hot shot off the bat of Brett Gardner.
and this ump is jumpin', jumpin' pic.twitter.com/pLPOCi2YQN
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 22, 2021
I obviously know that attempting a single MLB-level play would cause my body to explode into a billion tiny pieces, but I think I could maybe pull this one-off.
deGrominating At All Positions
I’m sure you all heard about how Jacob deGrom showed up to his Low-A rehab start and really jammed some minor leagues into their lockers:
Jacob deGrom is throwing 102 MPH…
Someone send help.
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) May 20, 2021
Jake’s back with the Mets, but apparently, he’s not content with just being the best at one role in the battery:
he rly can do it all pic.twitter.com/5QZky7woy9
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 22, 2021
Lefty hitting catcher with a plus arm? I could see some interest there…
A Professional Frameup
Last week I mentioned how much I enjoy the phrase “The Tools Of Ignorance” because it’s so off-base for how important catchers are to a successful game, and last night Martín Maldonado showed that if nothing else, catchers are loyal and industrious:
https://gfycat.com/weeuntimelygalapagosmockingbird
I’m not sure if there’s any amount of framing one can do to salvage a ball that clearly bounced short of the plate, but honestly, with how this year has been going with some of the ball/strike calls, it’s worth a shot.
Return Of The Kaz Pt 2
Back in April, it was Sean Kazmar Jr.who was making his return to the big stage. But yesterday, it was Scott Kazmir who was back on the mound in San Francisco, roughly 17 years after his debut, with some interesting links to both his coach and his manager:
Kazmir has K'd Kapler 4 times as well lol https://t.co/EZ097Xt3u9
— Jeff/El Jefe @ WrestleMania 40 (@jpsfg) May 22, 2021
It’s also serendipitous that he would be pitching against the Dodgers since apparently, they are uh, still his employer in some ways?
The Dodgers are paying $8 million to Giants pitcher Scott Kazmir this year 🤯 pic.twitter.com/L2LJBhysnW
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 23, 2021
The timing is also pretty perfect since it means he gets to face Albert Pujols, who he first faced way back in 2005…take a gander at these lineups if you wish to crumble into dust and blow away on the breeze with me:
Albert Pujols vs Scott Kazmir, in 2021
They FIRST faced off on June 17, 2005 in a Cardinals at Devil Rays game
starting lineups from that one ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/DOPpdfh5SQ
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 22, 2021
Time remains undefeated.
Rizzo Knows His Worth
As one half of the famed souvenir company Bryzzo, Anthony Rizzo knows exactly how much his related memorabilia is worth. And in this case, it’s a pretty low price, honestly:
Business 101 with Professor Rizzo pic.twitter.com/JR5mri1iDe
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 23, 2021
I really do appreciate the long history of ball players scamming food off of fans in various ways, it’s nice to be reminded that the love of overpriced nachos is universal.
LaMet Gala
I told you all I loved the pitcher-on-base-with-a-jacket-on look, and Dinelson Lamet got to walk the catwalk base paths in these fine SD threads last night:
Featured image by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
Rizzo: you throw me the idol, I throw you the whip
*chef kiss*