Good Morning folks! Here we will recap the best that Major League Baseball had to offer from Saturday, April 23rd. The weekend is officially upon us and what a better way to celebrate than with some of the coolest, heartwarming moments in baseball. Enough has been made of the disgraceful events that transpired at the Yankees game, so hopefully, this will help you remember the better parts of the game. Let’s start you off with a few appetizers:
Kyle Hendricks, 89mph ⛽️ …and K Strut.
Kyle shows 10x more excitement for the foreign substance check than for the K. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Fmby8X7VXj
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 23, 2022
"Under this body, there's a guy that's athletic" 😂
Nestor Cortés talks about his diving play at first base: pic.twitter.com/YUSL1fqwfR
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 23, 2022
We interrupt history to bring you something Nasty. pic.twitter.com/TZfikQgB5M
— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2022
Nestor Cortes, what an electric player this is. Plug him into the biggest market in baseball and watch magical things happen. What an incredible effort that you won’t see from a pitcher (maybe ever again in today’s game).
The #Mariners add some (Seattle-born) outfield depth in a trade with the #Diamondbacks: https://t.co/RJQngWMvsg pic.twitter.com/0hq3LN8YgB
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) April 24, 2022
Kevin Keirmeier Hits the WALK OFF BOMB in the Bottom of the 10th to win it for the Rays 3-2 over the Red Sox pic.twitter.com/ANksepnoFy
— MLB Clutch Moments And Walk Offs (@MLBWalk_Offs) April 24, 2022
The First One to Embrace Mr. Miggy 3,000…
Miguel Cabrera got a big hug from friend and former teammate Jose Iglesias immediately after his 3,000th hit
Photo: @Rockies pic.twitter.com/2DV1LJbKGA
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 23, 2022
Jose Iglesias was the first player to come over immediately after Miguel Cabrera landed on first base to record his 3,000th career hit. A truly remarkable story that Iglesias, former Tigers’ teammate with Cabrera, was able to be part of the game for the opposing Rockies. Prior to the game, Iglesias was asked about the unique opportunity:
“I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a big thing and hopefully, he can get it done this weekend so I can enjoy it and see it. I mean, I saw like 1,300 of (his hits), I deserve to be here for number 3,000,” Iglesias said, laughing. “I don’t care where he’s at, I’m greeting him.
“I don’t care if it’s at first, wherever. It doesn’t matter … He was a big part of my career. We talk a lot (and) we are very close. He was a big part of my growth as a player and beyond baseball, we are pretty close too.”
Miggy was asked about the hug after the game: “We were talking all season: I’ve gotta wait until he comes to Comerica Park so he can see 3,000. I said, ‘I don’t know, man.’ He said if I get the hit in front of him, he’s going to run to 1B and he’s going to be the first guy to hug me.”
Hitting the ball the other way for no. 3000. It’s what makes you special. Congratulations @MiguelCabrera 👏🏼
— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) April 23, 2022
Joey Votto also chimed in (because he’s the social media king of the sport recently) with a subtle nod to what makes Miguel Cabrera special. We may not ever see another 3,000 hit club member, so cherish this day forever fans.
Julio Rodriguez FINALLY Gets a Call
(Moment of the Year Contender)
Julio go-ahead walk and he's FIRED UP! pic.twitter.com/OmMiOoP0eu
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 24, 2022
Is this correct? Did Julio Rodriguez actually get a called ball four? With the bases loaded. Bottom of the 8th, JRod took a fastball just outside the black with his elite plate discipline and it paid off big time. Not only did it put the Mariners ahead, but they never looked back and it proved to be the game-winning run. What a tremendous reaction from Julio as he glared back at the home plate umpire with an “I’m going to flip out if you ring me up” look on his face. It all culminated with a cool bat flip to celebrate the moment. This kid is going to be a star.
Before the bat flip, Julio Rodríguez looked back to make sure he'd drawn ball four:
"I knew it was a ball, but I was like, 'Man, if you call that right now, we're going to have some words.' I feel like that would've been the time where you would see me get fired up." pic.twitter.com/krn6QXHKgx
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 24, 2022
Julio Rodríguez has been struck out looking 13 times this year, more than any hitter in the Majors.
A look at those ꓘ’s: pic.twitter.com/CME2AAXwY3
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 22, 2022
The bat flip rings even more loudly when you consider the above video. Take a look at each pitch and you’ll see the frustration coming to a head. The extraordinary pitch recognition is there, now he just needs some luck to kick in…and it may have started last night!
Austin Riley Home Run Trot After a New Tot
Dad strength from @austinriley1308 💪 pic.twitter.com/NMgcFX3DzW
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 24, 2022
A day after being activated from the paternity list and Austin Riley sends one out. What a way to celebrate the birth of your child!
Soler Gets His Ring
✔️ World Series trophy
✔️ World Series MVP trophy
✔️ World Series ring pic.twitter.com/mVQdeJhymy— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 23, 2022
The 2021 World Series MVP, which still seems very odd to say out loud received a ceremony from the Braves to collect his ring and trophy. After single-handedly propelling the Braves to glory last fall with crunchtime home runs, With 3 World Series bombs, and an OPS over 1.100, Braves fans certainly had a lot to cheer for today with Jorge Soler.
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)