May 14, 2021

1. The most viral “baseball” tweet of the year is a brutal punch in the stands at Coors Field

The lead story on TMZ tonight:

Pretty ugly stuff, but if there’s a positive to this at all (there isn’t, but) — baseball made its way into the national social media spotlight, if only for one night. Here’s another, more awful angle:

2. Highlight of the day: this kid turning an unassisted triple play

3. Jesus Aguilar is a petty, hilarious cheat sheet thief

He’s starting to make a name for these antics — you’ve got to love it:

4. Rich Hill (“Dick Mountain”) dominates, now MLB’s oldest player

Albert Pujols, for now, is without a team. Oliver Perez was DFA’d two weeks ago. And so it’s Rich Hill. 41 years old. Well past his prime. Dealing on the mound against the Yankees at The Trop.

6.2 IP, 0 ER, 9 K’s:

5. Throw of the night: Joey Gallo with the game on the line

The Rangers went on to lose, but — this was wild. 10th inning, bases loaded, if the runner scores, the Astros win. And then, Joey Gallo’s arm:

6. Acuña Jr. HRs on the first pitch of the game, for the league lead

He now stands alone, with 12 home runs, as the MLB leader:

7. Mildly interesting: Jerry Seinfeld talks about his baseball traditions

“I like eating, and watching, and not talking too much.”

8. Corbin Burnes returned last night, and was great again

The leading Cy Young chaser, behind the peerless greatness of Jacob deGrom this year. 52 strikeouts. Zero walks. To start the year.

9. Badness update in the A.L. Central

The Royals, to start, have lost eleven straight games.

And then there’s the Twins. Winners of the division the past two years, predicted to do quite well, and… now have the worst record in all of baseball.

12–23.

10. Johnny Damon gets community service, DUI charges dropped

He was arrested in February, now the charges are dropped — in return for a donation to charity, and an undisclosed amount of community service hours.

11. More fans allowed at several ballparks, VERY SOON

Very good news.

12. Lastly, the retro clip of the day: Mr. Ed at Dodger Stadium (1963)

Sandy Koufax and Maury Wills make an appearance — and the famous Mr. Ed sprints around the bases (no spoilers):