Home Run Derby

Philadelphia Phillies 1st Baseman Ryan Howard is known more for his bat than his glove.

Consider that in 2008, Howard led the Major Leagues in Home Runs (48) and RBI (146) while he finished last in Fielding Percentage among First Basemen (.988 with 19 Errors).

But that Fielding Percentage would be a lot higher if baseball was played with a beer can instead of a ball ….

During the Phillies World Series Championship parade, our friends at Big League Stew found proof that Howard can catch … a flying can of beer.

Watch the video after the jump …

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As a purveyor of a Home Run Derby contest … I have to admit I love Cincinnati Reds slugger Adam Dunn. 

Every time he steps to the dish, he’s a serious threat to put the ball in the seats. 

• He’s a lock for 40 Home Runs every season
• He has the longest current 40-Home Run streak (4 seasons) of any active player in baseball
• He’s on pace again in 2008 with 23 Home Runs already.
• Since 2004, only Alex Rodriguez (191) and David Ortiz (190) have more Home Runs than Dunn (189) – and I think he’ll surpass them by the end of the season.

What makes him even more fun is that he’s an certifiable adventure in left field – and not in a good way. 

He might be the worst left fielder I’ve ever seen – and I know something about bad fielding (ask Nick the Greek about my legendary anti-prowess in the field back in intramural softball).

Every time a ball is hit to left, he’s a serious threat to put the ball on the ground. 

• He has a .968 Fielding Percentage in LF since 2002 – which is the worst of any LF who qualified for at least two seasons in that span. 
• Since 2002 – he has 53 errors in LF – 17 more than any other player in that timeframe. 
• He’s already got five errors in LF this season. 

Here’s one of them right now …

So imagine my surprise to find out that Adam Dunn has a signature glove. 

Louisville Slugger makes that error-assisting machine.  What the Hell are they thinking?

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Baseball fans of all allegiances flocked to Camden Yards on Wednesday hoping to see Manny Ramirez make history by hitting two home runs to reach the 500 home run milestone.

He did make history in one sense, but not in a manner anybody expected.  He did so by turning late Orioles PA Announcer Rex Barney’s famous saying “Give that fan a contract” into “Give that fan an assist.”

Manny turned what could be seen as the first 7-10-4-3 double play in baseball history in the bottom of the fourth inning by high-fiving a fan between making a running catch on a Kevin Millar fly ball and firing the ball into cut-off man Dustin Pedroia.  Pedroia then relayed the ball to first-baseman Kevin Youkilis to complete one of the funniest successful plays you will ever see.

I say “successful” because it’s hard to top Jose Canseco’s Zidane-esque home run helper with the Rangers, Jack Cust’s ‘03 home stretch stumble with the Orioles, or Ruben Rivera running the bases for the Giants like a squirrel crossing a busy street (unfortunately I couldn’t find a picture or video of the last play).

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