July 31, 2021

1. The first Blue Jays game in Toronto since 2019 ended with a walk-off barehanded catch

Welcome back to baseball, Canada.

And a wonderful re-Opening Day, all the way in late July:

2. 76-year-old Tony La Russa ran out of the dugout looking for a fight

Jose Abreu got hit in the helmet by a fastball, his second first-pitch HBP of the game, and La Russa was livid, moving the fastest he’s moved in decades:

Here was the full sequence, including the hit-by-pitch:

3. Anthony Rizzo launches a beautiful home run in his Yankee debut

Sad to see him go, but glad he’ll be a beloved star in New York. And last night, he played in his hometown Miami, wearing Chicago-themed batting gloves and cleats — so, through the tears, there was a bit of a Godwink.

4. The Indians outfield just about did a Jose Canseco at the wall

Didn’t bounce off their heads, wasn’t scored as an official error, but wow.

Might just be the blunder of the year:

5. Tyler Glasnow likely needs Tommy John surgery

After an optimistic last two months, thinking he’d be back by September after letting his elbow heal, Glasnow threw a bullpen session yesterday that did not turn out well.

Yesterday, before:

And, sadly, yesterday after:

6. Joey Votto is on an absolute home run rampage

The most interesting man in baseball has rolled back the clock, with a renaissance season, completely mashing the ball.

Awesome to see this:

7. More moves from yesterday, as the 2021 Trade deadline concludes

8. Quote of the night: Lance Lynn on Tony La Russa

And quite the shirt, too:

9. Throw of the day, from the Tokyo Olympics

Dominican Republic against Mexico, and a perfect throw to nail the runner at the plate:

10. For the second time in three days, a ball got stuck in the roof at The Trop

Either you want this place to be demolished immediately, or it’s an ironic cult phenomenon national landmark. You decide:

11. Fernando Tatis Jr. dislocated his shoulder and left the game

We’ll have to wait for more info in the coming days, but it seems so far like he’ll probably be able to come back soon, thankfully.

12. And lastly, what to watch tonight: Javy Baez in New York

Batting cleanup, in his very first Mets game: