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Many baseball fans will do whatever it takes to get their hands on a game-used baseball at the ballpark—with some even sacrificing a $7 beer or two. 

This Toronto Blue Jays fan could not care less about a souvenir baseball—at least if it came off the bat of an opposing player.

Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis led off the top of the second inning of Sunday’s game in Toronto with a solo shot to center. One fan grabbed the ball before it had a chance to fall to the ground.

But once he realized the situation, the Blue Jays supporter had no interest in the home run ball.

Some fans may use such a moment to show off their arms, but not this guy. All he did was nonchalantly toss the ball onto the field, and that was that.

[MLB]

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When Yasiel Puig isn’t making unbelievable throws at Coors Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder likes to spend his time in Colorado crashing proms.

Because surprising fans never gets old.

After helping the Dodgers grab a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Puig made a surprise appearance at the Chatfield Senior High School prom. He may not have been as dressed up as everyone else, but hey, he had just played an MLB game.

Of course, he made sure to get a picture with some fellow ballplayers:

Even Rockies fans couldn’t help but respect the ridiculous throw Puig made Friday night to rob Trevor Story of a triple. With his surprise prom appearance, the Dodgers star likely won himself some more fans in the Centennial State.

[Yasiel Puig, h/t SB Nation]

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After what happened during Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday will probably be a little more careful the next time he tosses his bat after a walk.

The 36-year-old Holliday has probably cast aside his lumber following an at-bat more times than he can count. But this time, the veteran slugger held on to it just a bit too long and had to warn home-plate umpire Tim Timmons to protect himself.

Timmons ducked for cover and avoided getting hit by the out-of-control bat.

Holliday was 0-for-2 with two walks in the Cardinals’ 11-2 victory.

[MLB.com, h/t Fox Sports]

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Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw knows the key to pitching is changing speeds, but he took that to the extreme during Thursday afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

On the first pitch of a fourth-inning matchup against Atlanta catcher Tyler Flowers, Kershaw—who has a knee-buckling curveball in his repertoire—unleashed one of the slowest pitches you will ever see in an MLB game.

He threw a 46 mph eephus pitch (a very slow, curveball-like offering).

The eephus pitch did not find the strike zone, but it did give Flowers something to think about. And given that a batter has plenty to deal with while facing Kershaw, adding an eephus pitch to the mix just isn’t fair.

Kershaw followed his 46 mph lob with an 84 mph slider. Just imagine if the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner fired in his fastball, which typically sits around 92 mph, per FanGraphs. That would’ve been quite the adjustment for a hitter to make.

As for Flowers, he struck out in the at-bat. It’s hard to blame him, though, given he saw a completely new pitch out of Kershaw.

The Dodgers went on to win 2-1 in 10 innings.

[MLB.com, Jon Weisman]

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson proved during his rookie season last year that he can slug a baseball with the best of them.

That got us thinking…is there anything he can’t mash? 

As it turns out, no, there really isn’t. Seriously. From a baseball to a paintball to a drone, the 24-year-old Pederson can do some work with the bat.

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As much as baseball players may want the coveted MVP plaque, they should also want to win a batting title while playing for the Miami Marlins.

The reward will catch your eye in a big way.

Miami acquired second baseman Dee Gordon from the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2014 season. While everyone knew he had world-class speed, he remained somewhat of an enigma at the plate. He had a .289 average in his first full season in the majors, but he was not an established hitter at that point. Still, the Marlins gave him a shot.

All Gordon went on to do was lead the National League in batting average (.333) and stolen bases (58) in his first season in South Beach, making his second consecutive All-Star team.

While the 27-year-old Marlin added some hardware to his collection by winning the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove at second base, the organization decided to show its appreciation for him by getting him some new bling.

When you see the diamond-studded pendant, you’ll understand Gordon’s reaction.

[MLB.com]

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While fans are always looking to get some game-used gear from athletes, it’s not often that a player asks for something in return.

But Kike Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers likes to mix things up.

On Saturday, a young Dodgers fan asked Hernandez if he could get his hands on the utility man’s batting gloves. Hernandez obliged—but not without making a deal.

The fan got Hernandez’s batting gloves all right, but the Dodgers player got the fan’s shoes.

It’s an unusual trade, but hey, it’s fair to both sides. And the fan did not have to go barefoot all game. Hernandez gave the shoes back, but only after autographing them.

Not a bad deal for the fan.

[Los Angeles Dodgers, h/t theScore]

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New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes probably had zero chance of making a play on this ball, but you have to respect the effort he gave.

Of course, you also feel a little sorry for the fans who got wrecked on the play.

In the top of the eighth inning of Wednesday afternoon’s game at Citi Field, Cespedes was tracking a fly ball hit by Miami Marlins center fielder Ichiro Suzuki down the left field line. As he approached the stands, the Mets star realized he had run out of real estate—so he channeled his inner Derek Jeter and went into the crowd.

Unlike Jeter, Cespedes was not able to come up with an out.

An effort like that could have resulted in some injuries, but it appears as though everyone was fine, including the left fielder. Cespedes did, however, move over to center field later in the inning as part of a double switch. While that move was made to keep closer Jeurys Familia from batting in the bottom of the inning, it also kept Cespedes away from the stands.

The eighth was a rough frame for Cespedes’ body. Just half an inning after he jumped into the seats, he was hit by a pitch.

However, New York’s 2-1 win will soften the blow some.

[MLB.com]

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Having allowed players to use pink bats, wristbands and cleats in the past, Major League Baseball is going all-out for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day this season.

What does that mean? Pink and blue will be worked into every team’s uniforms for each respective holiday.

Here’s a look at the uniforms:

It’s just another way for the league to pay tribute to the special occasions.

Major League Baseball has made a point to honor America in recent years with “Stars and Stripes” uniforms. This season will be no different:

Also of note, camouflage is being used for Memorial Day.

And just so we are all caught up on MLB uniform news, here’s the batting practice/Home Run Derby uniforms the players will be wearing during All-Star week, which will be held in San Diego in July:

Those uniforms, of course, are honoring the Padres’ old brown-and-yellow color scheme.

As for the All-Star Game caps:

How do all of these uniforms grade out?

[MLB, Darren Rovell]

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As David Ortiz begins the last season of his illustrious career, the Boston Red Sox made sure his final home opener was a day to remember.

Little did Big Papi know, the pregame festivities would be a special moment not just for him but his whole family.

The Red Sox surprised their star slugger by having his 15-year-old daughter, Alex, sing the national anthem before the game, leaving the 40-year-old father fighting back his emotions.

Just an incredible surprise.

While that father-daughter moment alone would have made for a special afternoon, there was more in store for Ortiz.

The designated hitter had the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch with fellow Boston legends Bill Russell (Celtics), Bobby Orr (Bruins) and Ty Law (Patriots). Even Pedro Martinez and a few of Ortiz’s other Red Sox teammates made an appearance.

And as he has been known to do, Big Papi delivered in the first inning.

[MLB.com]

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