April 28, 2022
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. is finally back
The Braves are already 5.5 games back of the Mets, this early in the season — but just like that, they get their best player back, after being out for a year.
Here he was last night in the minors, with the Braves GM on hand to observe. Now on his way to Atlanta, for a 7:20 ET game start.
2. The Cardinals and Mets got heated yesterday
This might be the single best baseball highlight of the year. Giovanny Gallegos, take your bow.
Here was the rest of the action, starting with a pitch that was mildly up and in on Nolan Arenado, and he took it very harshly — barking at the pitcher, tossing the catcher aside, and just like that the benches cleared.
Here was Pete Alonso after the game, with some “tough guy” comments:
And here he was during the scrum on the field:
And here was Buck Showalter, with a very valid point:
3. This guy has the baseball shirt of the year
In case you haven’t heard of the Doc Ellis “LSD” no-hitter, I’m linking an important video below.
It took me a minute to get why it said “Ellis D.” instead of just “Ellis” or “Doc Ellis”. Oh, right. LSD. Ellis D!
4. The home run of the night: Grand slam, Taylor Ward
Taking over in the lead-off spot for the slumping Shohei Ohtani (who had three hits last night), Ward came through and the Angels stay up in first place.
5. Juan Soto made a very strange, very bad play in right field
There’s no way to fathom why he would even be trying to throw the guy out at first, there was no chance — but if you do go for it, put some pace on the ball (and accuracy). And if you’re Josh Bell, well, make an effort on the catch.
The Nationals are in bad shape. Sitting at 6–14 on the season.
6. Today’s highlight so far: McCutchen goes deep on the first pitch
Just when you flip on the TV, and there it is — gone.
Here’s where the Brewers sit in the standings:
7. Joey Votto spots a “Votto” license plate
The Reds, after selling every good player they had but him, are now 3–15. Free this man from this cruel fate, immediately.
8. Jon Jay retires from baseball
Finally, he can go now back to being a Supreme Court justice.
His career numbers:
1,087 hits | .283 average | .721 OPS | 12.7 WAR
2011 World Series winner
9. The guy the Rays traded for Nelson Cruz last year is dominating
The Twins might have something here.
10. Bryce Harper made his MLB debut exactly ten years ago
And here was a quote he made in high school, after being on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
11. The stat of the day: The hit-by-pitch’d Mets
Makes it a little strange why it was the Cardinals that got so upset yesterday afternoon, and not the other way around.
12. Lastly, the former player tweet of the day: David Wells
Two words: no one.
