Happy Friday, folks! I hope everyone enjoyed yet another week of baseball. We only have a few more weeks until the All-Star Break, which — in my opinion — is the worst week of the baseball season, because there’s no baseball for at least three days during that break.
At any rate, the calendar flip to June marks the end of the first third of the season. So far, we’ve seen six no-hitters, one brain fart of a play from Will Craig, and plenty of great MLB moments. I hope we’re all enjoying this season, especially after our tiny taste of real baseball last year. Read on for the best of Thursday’s game action!
Today’s Overeager Umpire:
Uhm, what? pic.twitter.com/vuxPW5wPfl
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 4, 2021
As Aladdin once sang, “Let’s not be too hasty!”
The umpire might have missed this one a little bit, calling speedster Kyle Seager out on the tag by Anthony Rendon despite Rendon dropping the ball almost immediately.
Now, I’m a huge fan of emphatic umpire calls. I live for the excited umpire who ferociously punches the air to signal an out. And, this umpire absolutely met the criteria for an emphatic call. Best of all, the umpire walked away after their emphatic call, the baseball equivalent of a mic drop. Unfortunately, they were a little too quick on the draw and got the call wrong. Otherwise, this earns a perfect 10/10 on the emphatic umpire scale.
La Penúltima Fuera by Bad Bunt-y
https://gfycat.com/polishedlinearasianconstablebutterfly
Readers, it appears we have a candidate for the very worst bunt of the year. Not only did this bunt by José Rondón not do its intended job (move the runner over), but it also effectively ended any chance of a Cardinals comeback. Runners on second and third with just one out is a whole lot better than a runner on second with two outs.
Plus, Rondón’s bunt was bad enough that he had to dodge the catcher to run to first base. The dodge, which was a quality display of Rondón’s athleticism, ultimately doomed his run to first base because those extra seconds gave the third baseman enough time to throw to first base.
They’re the Un-Shushables!
https://twitter.com/gifs_baseball/status/1400653360227885065
Looks like Laz Diaz had had enough of that Cubs baloney.
Jarrod Dyson’s Wild Ride
https://gfycat.com/wetlankygrunion
Royals legend Jarrod Dyson is pretty darn fast. But he didn’t really need to be fast to capitalize on these Twin mistakes. That is a tough way to lose a game. Hansel Robles looks pretty steamed. And honestly, I’d be very steamed too if my team made back-to-back errors that cost us the game.
Softball is Fun, Too
If you’re reading this column, it’s probably because you like Major League baseball. But, I am here to tell you today that there are other great ways to support the different versions of the sport we all know and love, including the Women’s College World Series, which is going on right now! Here are some of the highlights of the last few days, including a dominant pitching performance, dingers, and upsets:
𝟏𝟔 𝐊𝐬 😤
Montana Fouts was DEALING in @AlabamaSB's opening round win in the #WCWS pic.twitter.com/9A4TCKecNL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2021
Dinger:
JMU JUST TOOK THE EXTRA-INNINGS LEAD OVER NO. 1 OKLAHOMA WITH THIS HOMER 👀 #WCWS pic.twitter.com/ye31GbUL6r
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2021
Mid-major glory:
UPSET COMPLETE ✅
James Madison stuns top-seeded Oklahoma in its very first #WCWS game! pic.twitter.com/Bye3vwNaLP
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2021
If you’re not watching the Women’s College World Series or the upcoming College World Series, you are simply missing out.
Now, get out there and enjoy your weekend! Watch some baseball, watch some softball, or just do it all!
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)