Big League Stew’s most popular posts of 2014

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Here at Big League Stew, we spend the entire year writing about baseball’s best moments — whether they’re game-changing homers, pre-game hijinks, on-the-field beefs and even MLB’s most famous girlfriend.

Once again, 2014 provided us with hundreds of interesting, wacky and thrilling baseball highlights. Here are the top 20 posts our readers clicked on:

1. Fan who fell asleep during Yankees-Red Sox game suing for $10 million (July 7)
A 26-year-old fan sued the New York Yankees, MLB and ESPN after he was caught on camera sleeping during a game that was broadcast live for Sunday Night Baseball. Anthony Rector said he was the victim of an “unending verbal crusade,” though very little was actually said about him on the broadcast. Most of it happened in Internet comment sections, and his ensuing lawsuit just caused more comment-section name-calling.

2. Giancarlo Stanton hit in face with pitch, suffers fractures and dental damage (Sept. 11)
In a gruesome scene, Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton was nailed in the face by a fastball from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers. It ended Stanton’s impressive 2014 season and left his face looking battered. Stanton has since healed quite well and signed baseball’s richest contract.

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3. Dodgers-Giants couple pour beer over each other’s head during ‘kiss cam’ (Sept. 24)
Was it too good to be true? Well, it was good: A Dodgers fan coupled up with a Giants fan gave people a show when the kiss cam landed on them — they poured their full beers on each other. Talk about a wet one.

4. Kate Upton says Yankees wouldn’t let her wear Tigers’ gear at Yankee Stadium (Aug. 10)
We’re lucky to have Kate Upton, girlfriend of Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, in the baseball sphere. This story was two mega powers colliding into a “controversy” as baseball’s most powerful team clashed with baseball’s most famous girlfriend.

Other popular posts in the Yahoo Sports Blog family
Ball Don’t Lie (NBA) • Big League Stew (MLB) • Cagewriter (MMA) • The Dagger (NCAAB) • Devil Ball Golf • Dr. Saturday (NCAAF) • Fourth Place Medal (Olympics) • From The Marbles (NASCAR) • Puck Daddy (NHL) • Shutdown Corner (NFL)

5. Diamondbacks play revenge game, drill Andrew McCutchen with fastball (Aug. 3)
You love drama, and this was one of the more interesting late-season MLB beefs. The D-backs got revenge after the Pirates hit Paul Goldschmidt and ended his season with a broken hand. They hit Pirates MVP Andrew McCutchen. He eventually went on the disabled list, which was either a result of this or totally unrelated, depending on whom you believe.

6. Kate Upton persuades Justin Verlander to toss her a baseball (Aug. 4)
There she is again. This time, Kate Upton flirts with her man until he tosses her a baseball. It was all very high school of them, but then again, when you’re a sports “it” couple, you can get away with such things.

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7. Cespedes makes phenomenal throw that would impress Bo Jackson (June 11)
Yoenis Cespedes — still playing for the A’s at the time — thrilled us by making one of the most memorable plays of the year. He threw out Howie Kendrick at the plate from the left-field corner, an impropable throw of about 310 feet.

8. Gerardo Parra makes friends in St. Louis by giving ball to young boy (Sept. 17)
Brewers outfielder Gerardo Parra was nearly interfered with by a St. Louis Cardinals fan while chasing a fly ball. After the inning, Parra went over to the stands and handed a ball to a child sitting next to the fan, presumably his son. Baseball fans love these “classy” moments by players, and the popularity of this post proves it.

9. Aaron Barrett and Brandon Barnes engage in national anthem standoff (July 23)
Who would flinch first? Neither Aaron Barrett of the Washington Nationals nor Brandon Barnes of the Colorado Rockies wanted to leave the field after the “Star Spangled Banner,” dragging their standoff out until the last possible moment. Right before first pitch, Barnes budged and went back to the dugout.

10. Indy-Leaguer tears ACL after hitting homer, hops around bases on one leg (Sept. 27)
Some of the most interesting baseball moments happen away from MLB, in the minor leagues, for example, or in this case, an independent league. Sean Smith of the Atlantic League’s York Revolution hit a game-tying playoff homer, but hurt himself when he stepped on first base. No giving up for Smith, who hopped home.

The Next 10
11. Young girl innocently throws back Derek Jeter foul ball (Sept. 20)
12. Fan in critical condition after beating in Angel Stadium parking lot Friday (Oct. 5)
13. Rangers fans turn memorial statue into garbage can on opening day (March 31)
14. Red Sox ball girl has priceless reaction after fielding Eric Hosmer’s fair ball (July 19)
15. McKayla Maroney cartwheels and flips her way to impressive first pitch (Aug. 2)
16. Replay review overturns Ramon Santiago’s inside-the-park home run (July 6)
17. Slimmed down Dmitri Young makes appearance in Cincinnati (July 26)
18. Brandon McCarthy wins Yankee Stadium debut while wife gets stuck in New York traffic (July 20)
19. A.J. Pierzynski earned early June ejection with classic umpire insult (June 26)
20. Adam LaRoche kills giant elk and Dan Haren is possibly sad about it (Nov. 6)