The Stew’s MLB Year in Review: Best fan moments
As we continue to look back on the year in baseball in 2015, we turn our attention next to the fans — specifically, the best moments this season when fans intersected with the game.
For this installment of our MLB Year in Review, we’re talking about memorable fan catches, a wild dive for a souvenir, the best first pitch of the year and one fan’s unfortunate series of foul-ball gaffes.
[PREVIOUSLY: The best MLB social media moments of 2015]
So here are the top MLB fan moments of 2015, as picked by The Stew crew:
A baby in one hand, a foul ball in the other
And the award for best fan catch and worst father of the year goes to Keith Hartley. Yes, Hartley’s barehanded snag at Wrigley Field this past June was impressive (though Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez might not agree).
But you notice what’s in Hartley’s other hand? A baby. Young Isaac Hartley, all of just 7-months old, was just trying to get fed by his father when Keith stretched his hand out from the front row and stole an out away from Gonzalez.
For a beleaguered fan base that’s still dealing with the repercussions of Steve Bartman’s interference during the 2003 National League Championship Series, you would think the Cub faithful would be extra cautious when it comes to snagging balls in play.
Nah. Not Hartley.
”That was outstanding,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the game. ”You worry about the baby, of course. But he looked like he had it under control.”
Easy for you to say, Joe. Not your baby. I bet Mrs. Maddon wouldn’t share the same sentiments. In the end, Hartley’s bad parenting and selfishness ended up costing the Cubs an out as Jason Hammel was ruled off due to fan interference. But at least Isaac will have a story he can one dare share in the year 2054 when the Cubs finally win the World Series. (Marcus Vanderberg)
Yankees fan fails three times while trying to get a foul ball
Many baseball fans go their entire lives without catching a ball at a major-league game. Then there’s this Yankees fan, who had three opportunities to snag a ball and came up short each time. The first fail was understandable: a foul ball rose high above his first row seats and he couldn’t make the grab with his back turned to the field. The second attempt was slightly more egregious, as he was unable to corral a ground ball that hopped harmlessly into his arms. And the third was easily the most embarrassing, as he fumbled a ball tossed his way by a Yankees ball boy. He ultimately ended up with a ball, picking the one from the ball boy off the ground, but as any experienced baseball fan will tell you, it’s not about the ball, it’s about making the play. (Israel Fehr)
Fan plunges into McCovey Cove to get a home-run ball
My favorite fan catch of the year wasn’t a catch at all. Well, you could say the fan in question had to be caught and reeled in like a fish.
On July 10, during the seventh inning of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, a Giants fan threw caution to the wind and jumped into McCovey Cove to retrieve a home run from S.F. second baseman Joe Panik. The ball actually bounced in the seats, down to the concrete below and into the water. The fan didn’t hesitate for a second. Nevermind any cell phone, wallet or other valuables he might have been carrying. He had to get the ball. I’ve got nothing but respect for that kind of dedication.
To me, being willing to throw yourself into a body of water to get a home run ball trumps any one-handed catch, snagging a ball in a beer cup or diving over rows of seats for a souvenir. Not only was the guy willing to take the plunge, he had to endure the humiliation of being fished out of the cove with a life preserver because there were no boats in the cove at the time. #respect (Kyle Ringo)
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Mike Aviles’ daughter throws out first pitch
Is it cheating to call Mike Aviles’ daughter a “fan?” I don’t care. This was one of the best moments of the 2015 season. Aviles’ daughter, Adriana, was diagnosed with leukemia in May and wound up throwing out a first pitch in August. Considering all she had been through at that point, and how much the team took care of Aviles during such a tough time, it was hard not to get teary-eyed watching Adriana deliver the pitch to her dad. (Chris Cwik)
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Fan with Mike Trout net catches Mike Trout homer
One point for catching a home-run ball, but 10 points for doing it in the most destiny-fulfilling way we saw this season. In late July, a Los Angeles Angels who brought his own homemade “Trout Net” to the stadium did exactly what he was hoping when he built that contraption. Trout hit a grand slam and it landed right in the Trout Net.
This was a collision of two things I enjoy a lot: Fans putting in creative effort before coming to the park and a fan making an impressive catch on a homer or foul ball. This fan did both, and we’d bet that he’s still talking about it. (Mike Oz)
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Fan catches bat, gets kiss
When San Francisco’s Jake Peavy lost his bat and sent it flying into the stands at Nationals Park, we all feared the worst. Thankfully though, this went from worst-case to best-case scenario in a heartbeat when an alert fan reached right out and grabbed it, saving himself and his significant other. And to the hero went the spoils, as he received a kiss on the cheek in front of millions of people. In a tough year for fan injuries, it was nice to a fun moment develop from a potentially scary situation. (Mark Townsend)
PREVIOUSLY IN OUR YEAR IN REVIEW:
– Best Social Media Moments
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
