Hi, everyone! New England sports fan here. Allow me to introduce you to another, better New England sports fan.
While we don’t know the man’s name, a Sox fan sitting in the killer Green Monster seats at Boston’s Fenway Park didn't just catch a home run ball by Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, nay -- he threw that tainted ball right back.
The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is a tale as old as time, and while tossing a home run ball back to the field isn’t new -- Stanton said that it happens at Yankee Stadium all the time and New England Sports Network called it “an act as old as the game itself” -- but what’s different and impressive about this fan’s throw is that the ball made it back to the infield. Normally, balls that are thrown back toward the field barely make it to the warning track (aka the dirt between the stands and the field).
While the feat of the ball making it back to second base is notable in itself, let’s also watch again as the baseball actually hits Stanton -- whether intentional or not. Luckily, Stanton seems to tip his helmet in a respectful nod for the show of athleticism.
(But if I know Boston fans, I wouldn’t put “intentional” past the guy.)
The homer gave the Yankees their eighth and final run in the seventh inning against Boston’s two, and the Sox were unable to come back; the game ended in a final score of 8-2.
The funny part is, Stanton's hit earned the Bronx Bombers the record for most home runs by any team in a single season. If this overzealous fan hadn't shown off his guns, he could have scored himself a big pay day -- the Yanks would probably have asked for the ball back (for a price).
But you've got to love the loyalty.
Stanton may be back in Boston on Oct. 5 for the playoffs depending on their performance in their next few games, but will this fan be back for his vengeance against Stanton? Regardless, the rest of Boston is putting their money on the fan for next season.
Unfortunately, the gentleman was most likely escorted from the game by park security. But what an arm, huh?