Dynasty
Nastiest GIFs
The List
Dynasty
Nastiest GIFs
The List
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The 7 Best MLB Moments from Monday

Walk-offs, an outfield, collision, a record performance, and more!

Matt Goodwin
Best MLB Moments 6/1/2021

Yesterday we observed Memorial Day, often set aside as the unofficial start to summer and a chance to get together with family, friends, and hot dogs. Obviously, there is a more profound purpose:

“Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971” (History.com)

There were many tributes to the fallen soldiers from around the league, too many, in fact, to include them all. Here are a few though:

 

 

There are no words that can be combined in the right order or combination to express the gratitude of a free nation and its citizens for the ultimate sacrifice made by so many brave men and women in the name of democracy, so I will simply say: Thank You.

Here are a few other things from around the league before we get to the guts and glory of the piece. Let’s start with this nasty pitch:

 

 

And this utterly gross defensive play:

 

 

This birthday message for a guy who knows a thing or two about throwing a baseball:

 

 

And this dinger by Josh Bell (which is mainly only included because the social media team killed it with the tagline):

 

 

This comparison of a Major League Baseball pitcher to a vocal legend:

 

 

A medium-sized accomplishment for José Ramírez:

 

 

And this slightly larger accomplishment for Christian Yelich:

 

 

There’s Yermin’s bling:

 

 

And, of course, Alex Fast’s thing:

 

 

And now, onto the main event.

 

How Not to Play Outfield

 

A few weeks back a reader called me out for putting something not so great into a “Best Moments” article and… fair enough. And I’m going to do it again now. This was not a shining moment for Rob Refsnyder, but it belongs in this piece and nobody will convince me otherwise. In fact, I’m going to share a reaction before I share the video itself:

 

 

LOL, Eno, you nailed it. Just like Rob nailed that wall:

 

 

Get well soon.

 

Walk-Offs and Not-a-Walk-Off

 

Games that end because the home team has scored a run in the bottom of the ninth (or later) are super exciting, especially if you’re rooting for the home team (for if they don’t win it’s a shame anyway, right). Here are a couple that walked-off yesterday:

 

 

Here’s a different, very fun angle:

 

 

Here’s another from the Mariners – A’s game:

 

 

Here’s another, different and very fun angle:

 

 

Which results in this Mariners social media bet that totally paid off:

 

 

No matter where you go in the room, the eyes just follow you…

The Cincinnati game also ended on a brilliant play, but this one was a defensive gem from Jonathan India:

 

 

Not a walk-off, but noteworthy nonetheless.

 

A 100th Birthday Wish

 

If I ever get the chance to turn 100 years old, you darn well better believe that I am going to be crotchety, cranky, and mean. And I will not be deserving of nice things because of that, but I am super happy to see this seemingly lovely woman, June Auer, get her wish for her centennial celebration:

 

 

If the Orioles can’t win games, at least they can win hearts. Well done, Baltimore.

 

Pitchers Are Awesome

 

Even when their lines aren’t great, pitchers are still amazing. Here’s an utterly fantastic gif from the Pitching Ninja himself, showing all of Johnny Cueto’s different timings in a single AB:

 

 

And some more Johnny:

 

 

There was Triston McKenzie setting a new Cleveland record (it tied the AL record) for most consecutive strikeouts at eight:

 

 

And Corbin Burnes absolutely embarrassing Rony Garcia (or Garcia embarrassing himself, tough to tell, tbh):

 

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1399452990814175235

 

And just to make sure that we balance that one out, Jacob DeGrom not only pitched super well again, he also did this:

 

 

No, you shouldn’t get his hitting stats. Not unless you also want all the stats from the other pitchers on your team too (hint: you don’t).

 

Homerun King(s)

 

Fernando Tatis, Jr., a known good baseball player, briefly took the lead in the NL home run race with 16 which tied him for the overall league lead as well:

 

 

But then:

 

 

Tatis also did this, which defied physics and gravity, and made me pull a hammy just watching it:

 

 

Kolten Wong, Gold Glover

 

This clip speaks for itself (it sure got his pitcher pumped up):

But he wasn’t the only Brewers infielder flashing the leather:

 

A Blast in Three Scenes

 

This one is brought to you by Javy Baez, professional hitter:

 

 

While I like to end these round-ups with a nice gif sendoff, I just can’t do it this time. Mostly because I can’t settle on which I want to use. So instead of a gif, I give you: TWO GIFS (both embedded in Tweets, one stationary and the other moving and maybe not technically gifs).

 

https://twitter.com/bankrollbruce/status/1399474261497192448

 

You get to pick your favorite and pretend the other one doesn’t exist, kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure style choose-your-own-ending.

 

Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)

Matt Goodwin

Husband. Dad. Teacher. Writer. Podcaster. Baseball Fan. Quippy. Makes up words. FSWA. IBWAA.

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