Best moments from the final day of the MLB season
The final day of the 2020 MLB season has come and gone. With a unique campaign in the books, let's look back at several memorable moments from a busy Sunday across the league.
Alex Gordon says goodbye
The 14-year veteran recently announced this season was his last after spending his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Gordon, selected second overall in 2005, delivered a message to Royals fans before his final game.
From Gordo, with love.#4EverRoyal pic.twitter.com/ES2BmC5EYZ
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 27, 2020
The club lifted Gordon in the second inning after one last at-bat before his final curtain call.
And with that, Alex Gordon's illustrious career comes to an end.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 27, 2020
Thank you, Gordo. For everything.#4EverRoyal pic.twitter.com/BkOwdFYMdD
Pence already enjoying his retirement
Hunter Pence announced his retirement this week after being released by the Giants. The quirky veteran set up shop in McCovey Cove for Sunday's game to cheer on his former team from the comfort of a boat.
Pence is hanging out in McCovey Cove today 🛥️ pic.twitter.com/FxaiB4GvEf
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) September 27, 2020
The gregarious Pence was signing autographs for kayaking fans later on in the afternoon.
If you have a kayak, Hunter Pence is now signing autographs out in the cove: pic.twitter.com/9OR82JbyTv
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) September 27, 2020
Big Bear wins NL HR title in style
When Marcell Ozuna re-took the NL lead in home runs on Sunday, he didn't do it with a cheap wall-scraper. Ozuna launched a 468-foot rocket to surge back in front of Fernando Tatis Jr. and became the first Braves player to lead the NL in both homers and RBIs since Andruw Jones in 2005.
Your National League home run leader 🐻#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/5vfN8FxaKI
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 27, 2020
Hicks' kicks
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks paid tribute to the Negro Leagues with incredible cleats.
🙌 @AaronHicks31 pic.twitter.com/HgenTj5zDn
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 27, 2020
Luis Guillorme's epic facial hair
The outfielder ended Saturday night with a bushy beard but showed up to the ballpark Sunday - on his birthday, no less - with quite the look.
El “look de los setenta” de Luis Guillorme #Mets pic.twitter.com/alVoVzVC7C
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) September 27, 2020
We approve.
Kipnis' Gold Glove?
Jason Kipnis made his first career appearance at first base on Sunday, and you could assume he was confident in his abilities.
Jason Kipnis, Gold Glove first baseman. pic.twitter.com/hc4IY1SxII
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 27, 2020
Pitcher plays the field
Right Fielder Adam Kolarek 😳 pic.twitter.com/vwi7LPZrdI
— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) September 27, 2020
That's right - the Los Angeles Dodgers brought in reliever Adam Kolarek to play right field late in Sunday's game. It's always a big deal when a position player pitches, but it's much rarer to see ...
(•_•)
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 27, 2020
<) )╯PITCHER
/ \
\(•_•)
( (> PLAYING
/ \
(•_•)
<) )> POSITION
/ \ https://t.co/e4tmOjDa9l
Pirates bullpen plays football, goes bowling
Pirates bullpen enjoying some Sunday football pic.twitter.com/YS6SkEZODF
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 27, 2020
It's been a tough season in Pittsburgh, let them have a little fun.
Pirates' bullpen is firing strikes pic.twitter.com/MsA9k8kvzs
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) September 27, 2020
Holy crap, a triple play!?
Sure, the Brewers lost, but they turned a nifty 5-4-3 triple play in the process. That's almost as good as winning. Right?
It doesn't get much easier than this 5-4-3 triple play. pic.twitter.com/Qpjon1aAO1
— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2020
Last minute catch of the year candidates
Finally, let's close this season with a pair of spectacular catches. First, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jonathan Davis ran a mile before he made a beautiful leaping catch to take a home run away from Cedric Mullins.
🚨 CATCH OF THE YEAR 🚨 pic.twitter.com/b8Cjq3Q7xR
— Toronto Blue Jays - x (@BlueJays) September 27, 2020
Not long after, Jackie Bradley Jr. had his own highlight-reel grab at the wall in what might have been his final game in a Boston Red Sox uniform.
Catch Probability:*
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 27, 2020
Anyone Not Named JBJ: Not high
JBJ: 100%
*Source: Anyone who's seen Jackie play pic.twitter.com/AfywfdETg9