This is action footage, first captured and then rendered into GIF form by the author, of Team USA second baseman Brandon Phillips making a decidedly above-average defensive play on a ground ball by Italian right fielder Mario Chiarini.
Humans are capable of this achievement: that’s the point of this dumb post.
Much like a young John Cusack holding his boombox aloft outside an also-young Ione Skye’s bedroom window, the author both (a) has declared for everyone to hear his feelings about right-handed Pirates prospect Phil Irwin’s curveball and (b) finds no little value in the musical stylings of Mr. Peter Gabriel.
A recent spring-training broadcast of a Red Sox-Pirates game has provided a means by which we might all reacquaint ourselves with what film critic Pauline Kael would likely describe as a “fucking tour de force” were she still alive and also filthier of mouth.
Like on this curveball to Boston shortstop Stephen Drew:
It is a GIF of redemption. Perseverance. Stick-to-it-tive-ness. It is a GIF of Micah Owings, full-time hitter, lacing a double.
h/t: The very assuming Bradley Woodrum
Charlie Hough does what he pleases, people.
If Charlie Hough were a dandy fop, he would keep handy a dainty kerchief at all times, with which to wipe his brow or nose with victorian decorum. Charlie Hough does no such thing, puritan!
Regard the theatrical release:
Regard, below the jump, the director’s cut:
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Prince Fielder hit a home run against Brandon Morrow a few minutes ago. Among the people impressed by Fielder’s home run was Prince Fielder himself.
To wit:
Talented Mets right-handed prospect Zack Wheeler is pitching today (Saturday) against the Nationals in a spring training game. After four batters, he’s walked one and struck out two, including an inning-ending strikeout against Washington’s Chady Tracy — action footage of which strikeout was captured by the author.
Pitch No. 1: A fastball at 96 mph (although maybe 98 mph, it’s hard to make out) taken for strike one.
Tulane freshman right-hander Daniel Rankin made the first appearance of his college career about 15 minutes ago. In so doing, he introduced America — or at least, like, 1/100,000,000 of America — to his leg kick, which it might be fair to describe as “enthusiastic.”
Thinking about Daisuke Matsuzaka in one’s own mind is generally an unpleasant experience. Not only has the Dice-K of recent years been decidedly mediocre, he has also been shockingly deliberate en route to mediocrity, requiring more time between pitches over the last three seasons than any other starter with 100-plus innings.
As the footage below demonstrates, however — of a 19-year-old Matsuzaka in his first-ever professional appearance — this was not always the case. There was a time when Matsuzaka was resplendent, like a diamond that’s resplendent — and also has arms, too.
Like here, throwing a 96 mph fastball by Atsushi Kataoka:
North Carolina State sophomore and left-hander Carlos Rodon, who struck out 135 batters last year in 114.2 innings, is pitching this very moment against Appalachian State. His slider is excellent, and has allowed him to record five strikeouts against the first 13 batters he’s faced of the game. It has also been hit very far out of Doak Field.
Here’s a slider for a swing and miss to Appalachian State DH Dillon Dobson:
