Fun moments from the park up for top Cut4 topic GIBBY
Highlight-reel plays and incredible athletic feats weren't the only memorable things on display at Major League Baseball stadiums this year.
From puzzling signs to young boys proving chivalry isn't dead, the nine nominees for MLB.com's Greatness in Baseball Yearly (GIBBY) Award for the 2014 Cut4 Topic of the Year provided enduring moments at the ballpark.
"Cans of popcorn" is nominated for the two fans who used not their gloves, but a bucket of popcorn to catch a home run ball. The first came in Pittsburgh in April, while the other was in Atlanta during September.
Video: STL@PIT: Fan on foul ball catch with popcorn bucket Video: NYM@ATL: Fan catches Duda's homer in popcorn bucket
At Fenway Park this year, a young boy gave a foul ball to a little girl. The "Boy gifts baseball" landed him an in-game interview and two baseballs.
Video: TOR@BOS: Boy hands souvenir over to girl behind him
A similar thing happened in Texas -- with a twist. A young boy caught a foul ball from the third-base coach in his glove, then gave a different ball to an older girl sitting behind him. It wasn't the true game ball, but it was a "Baller" move nonetheless.
Video: TOR@TEX: Young fan gives decoy ball to pretty lady
"[Anthony] Rizzo's gift homers" is nominated for the game when Cubs' first baseman hit two homers at the behest of Mike Kasallis, a 22-year-old fighting cancer.
Video: SD@CHC: Rizzo hits two home runs for cancer patient
The Royals made a lot of fans this season, but SungWoo Lee has been one since the 1990s. He finally visited Kauffman Stadium in 2014 and received "Royal treatment," getting free memorabilia and the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Video: SF@KC: Broadcasters hand SungWoo a glove
"50 Cent throw" showed superstar Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson should probably stick to rap after his ceremonial first pitch was just a bit left.
Video: PIT@NYM: 50 Cent goes wide left with first pitch
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is part of two nominees this season. "Captain's call" is him answering a reporter's phone during his postgame news conference on Derek Jeter Day at Yankee Stadium.
The second nomination involving Jeter, "2 cute," happened in Detroit, where his young nephew tipped his cap to the fans while being introduced in a pregame ceremony honoring his uncle.
Video: NYY@DET: Jeter's nephew tips cap to the Detroit crowd
"#HunterPenceSigns" took on a life of their own this season. It all started when a Mets fan poked fun at the Giants' right fielder for not being able to parallel park and liking "The Godfather 3."
Video: SF@NYM: Mets' fans troll Pence with signs during game
Tampa Bay's Matt Joyce certainly hit it back up the middle during a June batting-practice session. Joyce fouled a pitching-machine offering off the top of the cage and back into the chute, bringing another pitch. "Hole-y mackeral," indeed.
Video: HOU@TB: Joyce hits a ball into the pitching machine
Major League Baseball's A-listers will take home 2014 GIBBY trophies -- the ultimate honors of the industry's awards season -- based on votes by media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, fans at MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research.
This year's GIBBY Awards feature nominees in 25 categories. Individual honors will go to the MLB MVP, in addition to the year's best Starting Pitcher, Hitter, Closer, Setup Man, Rookie, Breakout Hitter, Breakout Pitcher, Bounceback Player, Defensive Player, Manager, Executive and Postseason Performer.
GIBBY trophies also will be awarded for the year's top Play, Outfield Throw, Storyline, Hitting Performance, Pitching Performance, Oddity, Walk-Off, Cut4 Topic, Regular-Season Moment and Postseason Moment, with video available via MLB.com's Must C highlight reels.
In the past several seasons, fans have cast millions of votes across the GIBBY categories, none of which was restricted to individual league affiliation. That's how you know the GIBBYs consider the best of the best.
All 30 clubs are represented among the award candidates. In fact, every team has multiple nominees in 2014 -- a testament to the parity of talent around the game.
Fans can vote as many times as they want through Friday by visiting mlb.com/gibbys, and winners will be announced live on the MLB Network and MLB.com on Dec. 6.