Dancing Báez, Beltrán’s birthday and San Diego’s niños
By Tab Bamford
Dancin’ Mago
Javier Báez did his thing again on Tuesday night. This time Dodgers first baseman David Freese was the recipient of extra air time on highlight shows as El Mago danced his way into a single. As Jon Taylor of Sports Illustrated said, physics don’t apply to Báez.
HIT 'EM WITH THE JUKE, JAVY. pic.twitter.com/Xsc4VM65YV
— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2019
The Chicago Cubs Instagram account had a second angle of the play. Who’s buying Freese new ankles?
Birthday boy Beltrán
We’d like to join these two Puerto Rican superstars in wishing legendary outfielder Carlos Beltrán feliz cumpleaños.
Hall of Famer Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez added a personal note on Twitter.
Feliz cumpleaños ? mi hermano ! Gracias por siempre poner a nuestra islita en los más alto ?? DTB hoy y siempre y muchos éxitos! Happy birthday ?? to my brother #CarlosBeltran he was a great baseball ⚾️ player and is an awesome person! God bless you pal @carlosbeltran15 ? pic.twitter.com/cRX9yVgUje
— Ivan Pudge Rodriguez (@Pudge_Rodriguez) April 24, 2019
And Yadier Molina offered a personal tribute to Beltrán on his own Instagram account as well.
San Diego’s Niños
One of the hottest players in the National League this season is in San Diego. No, not the $300 million man, but a rookie. Fernando Tatís Jr. has been holding it down at shortstop like a veteran since Day One, and his Instagram game is also fuego.
Gio to Milwaukee
Gio Gonzalez was released from his contract earlier this week by the Yankees but quickly found a new home – in Milwaukee. Gonzalez finished the 2018 season with the Brewers.
Free-agent left-hander Gio Gonzalez in agreement with #Brewers on one-year, $2M major-league contract, sources tell The Athletic. Deal also includes $2M in performance bonuses. Guarantee is in full, not pro-rated.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 24, 2019
Fan Post of the Day
This young catcher is getting a workout. This drill could be done anywhere in the world later today by aspiring young backstops.
Pro Post of the Day
Pedro Strop has style for days and good taste in automobiles as well. Fancy!
Happy Birthday!
Welington Castillo (b. 1987)
Carlos Beltrán (b. 1977)
Omar Vizquel (b. 1967)
OTD
2014 – Boston’s David Ortiz breaks Harold Baines’ record for games played at designated hitter (1,644).
2010 – Cubs’ pitcher Carlos Zambrano makes his first relief appearance in almost eight years, pitching an inning and a third out of the pen. “Big Z” allowed one run but also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the game.
1994 – Chicago’s Julio Franco and Robin Ventura hit back-to-back home runs twice as the White Sox defeat the Tigers 7-6.
1901 – Chicago hosts the first major league game in American League history. At South Side Park, a crowd of over 10,000 fans attends the game to see pitcher Roy Patterson take the win for the Chicago White Sox over the the visiting Cleveland Blues, 8-2.
Featured Image: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport