The coronavirus has taken a lot away from us during these trying times. From the NBA, to the NHL, to godforsaken March Madness. I mean really, tell me the last time you spent the month of March not screaming at your TV during a college basketball game.
It’s been a long time for me that’s for sure.
It also made us more cautious about spending time with friends and family. And I don’t know about you, but most of my interactions over the past few weeks have taken place through a computer screen.
But COVID-19 also delayed something that brings joys to baseball fans all over the country. Today was supposed to be #OpeningDay2020 for MLB.
Man, that video gave me chills.
Because of the postponement of the 2020 season, Major League Baseball has started a movement on Twitter called #OpeningDatAtHome and teams are getting in on it too.
Today was supposed to be one of the best days of the year. A day that people all over the country celebrate by going to the ball park, tailgating for the game with delicious burgers, hot dogs or your favorite tailgating food.
Instead, today is different, today is meant for baseball fans all over the world to come together and celebrate what could’ve been….what should’ve been.
So, to celebrate today. Here are a few of my favorite MLB moments from the past 10 years.
Bartolo Colon hits a Home Run in San Diego
Okay, this is more of a personal moment than anything just because of the situation. It happened while I was living in Arizona and a friend and I had driven to San Diego to meet up with a few friends from high school who were living there to celebrate my 24th birthday.
We had talked about going to the game that day. We knew Big Sexy was pitching, but we decided against it. Low and behold we wake up the next morning and see this highlight and immediately regretted it. Still regret it to this day, we missed a BIG SEXY HOME RUN. Damn!
Dee Gordon hits Home Run to honor Jose Fernandez after his death
Ironically, another moment that includes Bartolo Colon but this moment meant so much to the sport of baseball. It happened during Miami’s first game after Jose Fernandez’s tragic death. In fact, it was their very first at-bat and Dee Gordon stepped up to the plate and delivered a home run into the right field bleachers.
A truly special moment for a truly special player.
Johnny Cueto drops ball during Blackout at PNC Park
PNC Park was packed, the fans were rowdy, the Pirates were back in the playoffs. How couldn’t this moment make the list. It was something that will go down in the history of Pittsburgh. I mean I took a quick survey (Only 2 guys got back quick enough, but you can see what I mean.)
It was a wild time in Pittsburgh. I was doing a project outside the stadium for school at the time and it was one of the best baseball atmospheres I’ve ever been in.
Derek Jeter hits a walk-off in his last AB at Yankee Stadium
Okay, you all know I’m a Red Sox guy, but if there’s one Yankees player I respect it’s Derek Jeter. I’ll throw Mariano Rivera in that category too. But, this moment was awesome to see. In his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium, Jeter broke a 5-5 tie against the Baltimore Orioles with a single to right field.
Again, you know I’m a big Sox guy, so the next three moments are Boston Red Sox moments. Just for clarification.
2018 World Series Game 3 – Longest Game in World Series history.
This game was wild. It was crazy. It was ridiculous. 18-innings. 3-2 Final Score. 18 different pitchers. Dazzling performances from Nathan Eovaldi (6 innings, 3 hits) and Walker Buehler (7 innings, 2 hits). It was really what baseball is all about, so here’s a 10-minute video to recap it.
Well, I guess we could just tie this into one moment. This was the only game the Dodgers won during the 2018 World Series. In Game 5 Chris Sale came out of the bullpen for the final inning and struck out three straight batters, including doing this to Manny Machado.
David Ortiz #BostonStrong Speech
I still get chills every time I watch this video. This moment was one that can’t be forgotten. The Red Sox were returning to Fenway Park for the first time since the Boston Marathon bombing. They honored all of the first responders and law enforcement officers that were involved in the event and David Ortiz gave a speech that rallied the city together.
On this day, the Red Sox didn’t wear their normal white home jerseys with Red Sox across the front. They wore jerseys with Boston across the chest, honoring the city that had just gone through so much.
Then, they went on to win the 2013 World Series! Yea it was a pretty special year for the Red Sox.
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