Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s FIFA World Cup Final, Orioles pitcher Brandon Young channeled his own soccer skills on the baseball diamond.
In the first inning of Sunday’s Orioles-Astros game, Jose Altuve shot a comebacker Young’s way. The right-hander displayed a splendid first touch, softly deflecting the baseball with his right foot. Then, Young turned around and plucked the bouncing ball out of the air before tossing it to Pete Alonso at first base for the out.
“I was trying to stop it, trying to just get it, and luckily it one-hopped into my foot perfectly, and I got lucky and bounced it up,” said Young, who saw video of his play after two buddies sent it to him. “It was pretty cool. Good way to start the game.”
That about sums up how things have gone of late for the 27-year-old Young. He allowed one run over seven innings to lower his ERA to 3.25 in the Orioles' 5-2 victory.
And if Sunday’s play is any indication, he has the requisite footwork to pick up soccer as a spare hobby in the offseason, too.