Winter and Baseball

14. Best web gem you have seen

Since I’m not sure if this means in person or just ever, I’ll do both.

The best defensive play I’ve ever seen was, as you can see in the video above, Buehrle’s ridiculous off-the-foot-between-the-legs-somersault play on Opening Day a couple of years ago. I remember watching it with my dad and just going nuts. That was such a good game (it helped that the Sox won by something like 8-0). It’s always a good feeling to have a player on your favorite team do something that’s talked about all season long (in a positive way!). I doubt I’ll ever see another play like this.

As far as the best play I’ve ever seen in person, that was a little tougher to think of. I’ve been to a lot of games, but for some reason, not a lot of them have had outstanding defensive plays that have stuck in my mind. Except for when Mike Trout came to town with the Angels this last August and did this. Funnily enough, that was the second time Beckham was robbed of a home run by an Angels outfielder— Vernon Wells did it to him earlier in the season.

I’d also like to use this space to remember the idiot who threw back a Mike Trout home run ball during that series at the Cell. What. An. Asshat. Give it to a little kid, moron. Or keep it, because it’s Mike Trout.

Anyway.

For more of the 30 Day Baseball Challenge, click here.

The Batting Stance of John B. Wockenfuss

How to use “Wockenfuss” in conversation:

“NOW KIDS, DON’T RAISE UP NO WOCKENFUSS!”

“Man, that baby is making such a Wockenfuss.”

“Mom! Stop Wockenfussing over my makeup, my prom date will be here Wockensoon!”

“They caused such a Wockenfuss, the Wockenfuss Wockenfuss Wockenfuss. Wockenfuss.”

So my trip up to Miller Park was a good choice. I was rooting for the Nationals, and although they lost, it was still a really fun game. Fiers was outstanding for the Brewers, and I love me a good pitching performance, so I was happy (a four-hit shutout! neat). Also, I found out that when Jonathan Lucroy is up to bat, fans chant “Luuuuuuuc” (pronounced “Luke”). For a brief instant before I figured it out, I thought I was going to have to add another line to my “Normality of the ‘Yooouuuk’ Chant” post.

We watched Nationals batting practice and I’m honestly a little bit surprised that Michael Morse didn’t break the Jumbotron with some of the balls he hit. The crowd “ooh”-ed and “aah”-ed almost every time he made contact. It was very impressive— one ball landed beyond the left-center-field seats. That’s some crazy power. Bryce Harper was also pretty impressive (just repeat to yourself— a nineteen-year-old in the major leagues is hitting balls 415 feet).

Also, I had this brisket sandwich and it may have been the best thing I’ve ever eaten. And we had front row seats in the upper deck. Not bad for walk-ups. 

Anyway, I’ve been to Miller once before, but it was the year before I started paying attention to baseball so I didn’t appreciate it. This time, I did. What a stadium! It’s like a cathedral. I love it.

Some of the pictures are kind of blurry and not very awesome, sorry— this may or may not be because I just discovered the “panorama” option on my phone and enjoyed using it a little too much.