The best day of baseball in 2011 was Game 162 and the four simultaneous games that could not have meant more. The best day of baseball in 2012 was a random Wednesday where games didn’t mean much and three games occurring throughout the day. The games had us dancing, singing, screaming and shaking our heads… but actually, Max snapped a great video of me just after Chipper’s walk off. The only thing that could possibly be fitting to this day is a bit of box score tidbits:
From the Rockies-Dodgers game:
- We had a managerial decision that will be questioned. With a runner on first and two outs, Matt Kemp got the Barry Bonds treatment and was walked with a two run lead in the top of the ninth. The slugging Dee Gordon (.263 OBP) was due up next and wouldn’t you know that he hit a soft liner to right center that tied the game. You can’t predict baseball
- Next up 41 year old Jason Giambi hit a walk off, pinch hit three run bolt that certainly set the stage for a great day of baseball.
From the Atlanta Braves-Philadelphia Phillies game:
- In a game started by Roy Halladay and Tommy Hanson, the final score was 15-13… that’s wild enough
- Brian McCann hit a sixth inning game tying grand slam to join the now-four-man club that has hit a slam off Halladay.
- The Braves used 21 players in the game. The only four who didn’t play were the other four starters. That doesn’t mean the other four weren’t ready to play. Randall Delgado, today’s starter was up in the pen when Chipper did his magic. Tim Hudson had a bat in his hand and was going to hit two batters after Chipper. That would have been awesome.
- How about this one: 5 people occupied the 7th spot in the lineup last night. 5 people occupied the 8th spot in the lineup last night. And 5 people occupied the 9th spot in the lineup last night for the Braves.
- In a 15-13 game, both teams still left 19 guys on base.
From the Angels- Twins game:
- Jared Weaver absolutely dominated. Through 6 innings, the only thing keeping him from perfection was a dropped third strike: that is dominance.
- He became the 5th pitcher to toss a no-no the year after earning a second place in Cy Young voting
- It was the 10th no hitter in Angels history (The Mets still have 0).
- Weaver’s parents and girlfriend were there, saving the 29 year old from at least two phone calls last night.
We also get this from the Washington Nationals-Arizona Diamonbacks game: A 19 year old with a bad haircut owning the city of Washington DC. Bryce Harper hit two doubles off the right center field wall, the second of which set up a walk off homerun from Ian Desmond.
It was the first time in Major League history that we had 3 walk offs and a no hitter in the same day. The best part? As I post this we’re already onto a new day and four games are ongoing. It was just another day in baseball, but a bit more exciting than usual.
-Sean Morash
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