Major League Baseball likes to make money. To be fair, who doesn’t, right? Though these are an obvious cash grab, the new Nike City Connect jerseys are pretty sweet. Today, we got to see the Miami version:
Down to the very last detail. ? https://t.co/IlDNEqVkWK pic.twitter.com/OXcliCgtlG
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 17, 2021
Here’s a little more context from the Marlins themselves:
For la cultura. For our city. This is Legacy. #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/2DjcVZeUni
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) May 17, 2021
There was a great idea:
MLB definitely needs to broadcast a few at-bats every game from this camera angle
— The Baseball Newsletter (@bbletter) May 17, 2021
And, though it wasn’t in MLB, a terrible call:
Love to see baseball bloodlines. Angel Hernandez Jr. really is a chip off the old block. https://t.co/cFUaUv7CoW
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) May 17, 2021
There was this good news:
The Dodgers activated LHP David Price from the injured list and optioned RHP Mitch White.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 18, 2021
And this very much not-so-good news:
Mike Trout has left tonight's game after he was seen limping on the bases.pic.twitter.com/uJq4GsqJkn
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 18, 2021
And before we get into the days official happenings, this pretty cool moment from Kolten Wong (with the foul words conveniently clipped out by MLB):
.@KoltenWong is the new guy in Milwaukee but still beloved by @Cardinals fans.
Check out the newest episode of Play Loud!
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2021
Time to get to the main event!
Windy City Reunions
This is an article. Articles are supposed to have words. But to be honest, I’m not sure I can do any better than this:
Forever. pic.twitter.com/ib5zUhtki6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 17, 2021
What a moment for Kyle Schwarber returning to Chicago for the first time. Kudos to the Cubs for being so cool about it too. Here’s some more:
Caps off to @Cubs fans for giving Kyle Schwarber such an incredible ovation.#CubTogether // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/Wli1Xr3hv0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 18, 2021
And here’s what he did:
A homer in his return to the Friendly Confines! pic.twitter.com/enTiGBOAaQ
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2021
It wasn’t just Schwarb’s time though, this guy was also returning to Wrigley:
Hello, Chicago.
Familiar face on the mound.
And in LF.
And at 3B.
And on the dugout steps.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/0zmvscf8VG— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 17, 2021
More class from the Cubs too:
Jon, legend.#NVRQT pic.twitter.com/vuHeigXYg7
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 18, 2021
Pujols Returns to Los Angeles
Quick story. One of the first years I ever played fantasy, I played in an autodrafted roto league and had no real idea what that meant. My only experience to that point had been Small World Baseball (dust off your memory banks for that one) and I didn’t quite get how roto worked. Anyway, I had been fortunate enough to get the 1.1 and was excited to root for my new fake baseball team led by Albert who I’d been gifted with the first overall pick by the ESPN bots.
One night my sister was visiting and I shouted out something like, “Come on, Pujols!” and she stopped dead and asked, “What did you say?” I told her I said “Pujols” thinking nothing of it. She looked me dead in the eye and said, “His name is Poo Holes?” and then she laughed for a very long time. That thought had never even occurred to me but to this day I can’t not think about that moment whenever I hear his name.
Anyway, he plays for the Dodgers now:
Reppin’ Dodger blue. pic.twitter.com/KGWYeArVx1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 17, 2021
Albert Pujols batting cleanup in his debut with the Dodgers tonight. https://t.co/TLQTaJBQhd
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 17, 2021
How will @PujolsFive do with the @Dodgers? pic.twitter.com/yGzLCHAwRL
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2021
The Machine's first hit as a Dodger is an RBI single. ? pic.twitter.com/uVDPwwWX5c
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2021
Madrigal Mystery Tour
This is a tour of the bases as Nick Madrigal had himself a night. First, he did this:
His first-ever homer, and — of course — with two strikes.
Congrats, @NickMadrigal_3! pic.twitter.com/yC35Ex4PSN
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 18, 2021
Madrigal running like he actually couldn't believe he hit a home run https://t.co/AskJ7sQf7l
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) May 18, 2021
NICK MADRIGAL HOME RUN ALERT
That's his first over-the-wall homer since July 20, 2019 in Double-A pic.twitter.com/4X9mqPLc95
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 18, 2021
And then he did this:
Nicky Two-Bases?
Nicky Two-RBI?Whatever it is, Madrigal is raking tonight. pic.twitter.com/UIsvXPsdBw
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 18, 2021
Cole Being Cole (and Also Not)
Gerrit Cole is very good at baseball. It is a crying shame that it is for the New York Yankees, but that doesn’t take away his talent, only his facial hair. Even while he wasn’t his best self tonight, he was still able to do this:
59 straight Ks without a walk. @GerritCole45 has been as dominant as they come. pic.twitter.com/p4OJCeGBlN
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2021
Congrats on the record, Gerrit. Sorry for the loss (#notsorry).
Some Dudes Having Fun
It’s hard to pull-off a montage in a written piece, but here’s my best effort at it (imagine big 80s hair band music playing in the background and some of this happening in slow-motion):
Acuña is dancing around the dugout in a panda head ?
(via @BravesOnBally)pic.twitter.com/3pLQKT10rU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 17, 2021
if we were Freddie, we would listen to deGrom as our infield coach too pic.twitter.com/bu2aVnPCLx
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 18, 2021
it’s a day that ends in “y” so @ARizzo44 is having fun with his baseball friends pic.twitter.com/wHBMw4SxnD
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 18, 2021
The Beach Boys pic.twitter.com/5AACjQRH1A
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 17, 2021
Joey Gall-Oh-No!
Joey Gallo got so excited about this walk that he fell on his face pic.twitter.com/LRqaSzspNi
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 18, 2021
Astudillo, Professional Pitcher
Willians Astudillo took the mound again and the people just love it:
Fact: #MNTwins fans love La Tortuga. ??? pic.twitter.com/Weo9JPvLnn
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 18, 2021
He tried to blow this 47 mph heater past Yermin Mercedes (it did not go well for him):
Yermin Mercedes swinging on 3-0 off Willians Astudillo? #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/gu0DL7KN0w
— Justin Groc (@jgroc) May 18, 2021
Shohei Ohtani, Professional Hitter
Shohei Ohtani is your Major League Baseball home run leader after this shot:
Presenting your current MLB home run leader: Shohei Ohtani!
(via @BallySportWest) pic.twitter.com/Puq412yWAL
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 18, 2021
Shohei Ohtani, Professional Pitcher
Also, this:
Shohei Ohtani leads the majors in home runs.
He also has a 2.10 ERA. pic.twitter.com/KW1eAHn2QN
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2021
Okay, it’s the same home run, but look at that ERA! He could be the first player to win a Cy Young and an MVP not just for pitching. What a player.
And speaking of players, lest we forget our own Alex Fast, here is a final thought for all of you:
Bass Hits Episode Three:
Them Changeups pic.twitter.com/tCRxpS5cR8
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) May 18, 2021
Catch you next time!
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)