ST. PETERSBURG – Sunday could’ve been my shot at redemption. Instead, I’m never going to hear the end of this.
There are a handful of ballparks around the Majors where you need to be ready for a foul ball in the press box. Tropicana Field is one of them.
Prior to Sunday’s series finale between the Marlins and Rays, El Extra Base’s Daniel Alvarez-Montes and I mentioned how unusual the lack of chances had been. Today was going to be the day, we insisted. In order to be prepared, I would use his “Baseball Isn’t Boring” cap as a makeshift glove.
Trying to catch a ball barehanded wouldn’t do. You see, my hands are my money makers; these stories don’t write themselves! Plus, I couldn’t go – under any circumstances – viral like MLB.com colleague Mark Sheldon did years ago (R.I.P., laptop).
A handful of years ago, then-Marlins coach Trey Hillman teased me and Alvarez-Montes about a foul ball that was dropped and subsequently fell into the stands below.
And honestly? The ribbing was justified because of my scouting report.
I once went an entire varsity softball season without committing an error at second base for Coral Gables High School. Two years ago, I was named the MVP of the media softball game at loanDepot park for flashing the leather.
Needless to say, we’ve waited years for another opportunity.
The Rays’ Junior Caminero, who homered in the first inning, obliged by sending a Eury Pérez four-seamer our way in the third.
As the ball approached, a bespectacled me (I decided to give my eyes a break from wearing contact lenses!) grabbed Alvarez-Montes’ hat and stood up. In the row above us, Marlins director of team travel Sydney Ansley cowered in fear. Alvarez-Montes watched in anticipation, then threw his hands up as the ball went in and out of the hat and bounced off the wall.
Like last time, I tried ducking in shame from the disappointed crowd below and picked up the ball. I quickly received texts asking, "What happened?!" Screenshots were sent since my family didn’t believe me.
Marlins director of player & alumni relations Luis Dorante Jr., who was sitting next to Ansley, decided to recreate his view of how things went down.
The ball is sitting between me and Alvarez-Montes. We thought of giving it to a kid, but they probably don’t want to be associated with such an embarrassing souvenir.
Until the next opportunity, I’ll stick to writing. And hope I don’t go viral for this of all things …