May 19, 2021
1. Spencer Turnbull throws the fifth no-hitter of the year
It’s May 19th. We’ve now got five no-hitters. Five. Plus the Bumgarner seven-inning one. But, major kudos to Turnbull for pulling it off:
2. A day after getting hit in the face, this is what Kevin Pillar looks like
As awful as it looks, he’s in astoundingly good spirits:
3. Tony La Russa made the “…Huh?” moment of the season
The context: Two nights ago, Yermin Mercedes homered on a 47-mph pitch from Willians Astudillo (position player) in a blowout game.
And so, La Russa had this to say — and it blew up:
He went on to say (jokingly, but still) that he would’ve spanked Mercedes if he could’ve, as punishment. Not sure if that’s part of the “unwritten rules” too:
4. Yermin and the players respond to Tony La Russa
The White Sox have best team in baseball so far, and the locker room is already falling apart. Get the popcorn out, the rest of the year:
5. The Onion roasts the Angels
And meanwhile, Ohtani hit another home run (#14):
6. Kris Bryant left candy bars for Kyle Schwarber in left field
When your old buddy returns home and plays your position, may as well leave him a snack between innings:
7. Back to White Sox vs. Twins: Yermin got thrown at last night
Many of the unwritten rules make sense, but this??
And then, after the game, Tony La Russa continued the aggravate-most-of-the-fans tour, saying this:
8. Cameron Maybin went to the Mets for a dollar, literally
Steve Cohen is putting his financial genius to work, AKA Jed Hoyer made a really nice ceremonial gesture to help get Maybin another chance:
9. Defensive plays of the night: Tony Kemp & The Yankees
10. The Rangers razzed Joey Gallo about the fall he took two nights ago
11. Quote of the day: “Fuckin’ Reggie.”
Hot mic at the MLB Network studios:
12. Bleacher fans in Oakland protested the potential move of the A’s
13. Mike Trout is out injured for 6–8 weeks
Must be a pretty nasty calf strain to keep the guy out for six to eight weeks. Not sure how that’s possible, but this is a tough one:
14. Lorenzo Cain gets a big ovation in his return to Kansas City
15. Today, in the baseball-is-funny department
First, jumbo-sized Green Man made an appearance in Philly:
Steve Stone somehow loses his blue checkmark on Twitter:
And sometimes, you just need a little chest rub in the dugout:
16. Back to the White Sox vs. Twins: Miguel Sano hits 3 HRs and the Twins win on a walk-off hit
The saga continued from the night before, into yesterday afternoon, the pregame, the game, throughout the game, the end of the game, and these last-place Twins dug out something to cheer about:
17. Rennie Stennett dies at 72, RIP
One of only three men in history to get seven hits in a nine-inning game (during a 22–0 win over the Cubs).
1979 World Series champion, with the Pirates.
18. Today in baseball attire: Distracting shoes and Marvel tattoos
19. Lastly, hilarious rant of the day: Don La Greca vs. Yankees fans
