10. The Three Triple Plays of 2010
I’m a sucker for great defensive plays, and a triple play always makes me tip my cap to the fielders who are able to get the three outs in a matter of seconds.
In April, the Yankees were the first team of the 2010 regular season to turn a triple play when Kurt Suzuki of the Oakland A’s hit a ground ball to Alex Rodriguez, who stepped onto third base for the first out, and then threw to Robinson Cano at second base for the second out. Cano then finished the 5-4-3 triple play by throwing to first to get Suzuki out and end the inning.
The Mets also completed a triple play a month later against the Nationals when Angel Pagan caught a liner from Cristian Guzman for the first out. Pagan then threw to Henry Blanco who was standing by the pitcher’s mound, and Blanco quickly tossed the ball to Jose Reyes standing on second, forcing another out. Reyes threw to Ike Davis at first to finish a bizarre 8-2-6-3 triple play.
In August, the Mariners turned a 5-4-3 triple play against the A’s.
9. Ken Griffey Jr. Says Goodbye
After a number of unfortunate injuries that affected his game, the Mariners great decided to retire. Griffey’s amazing swing and strong leadership brands him as one of baseball’s greatest players and he will always be remembered for the impact he had during his best years. With 630 career homers, he retired while being fifth on the all-time home run leaders list.
8. Mark Buehrle’s Opening Day Throw
He may not be the only perfect-game big shot, but I’m pretty sure Buehrle is the only pitcher to make a blind, in-between-the-legs assist to first. When Indians’ Lou Marson batted a ball to Buehrle that began to roll towards the first baseline after it hit his foot, Buehrle chased after it and with his glove, threw it – without looking – between his legs to first baseman Paul Konerko for the out. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/cYyPKq.
7. Matt Diaz Trips Phillies Fan
The most sickening story of this season was, without a doubt, the unapologetic Phillies fan that purposely vomited on an 11-year-old girl during a game at Citizens Bank Park.
So when Braves outfielder Matt Diaz decided to trip a senseless fan that stormed onto the field, some sense of vengeance towards those reckless Phils fans was met. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/9ayqnq.
6. New York Mets defeat St. Louis Cardinals in a 20-inning Game
Twenty innings, 19 pitchers, and 6 hours, 53 minutes later, the Mets finally scored on a tiebreaking sacrifice fly from Jose Reyes. Certainly an extra-innings heaven for baseball lovers.
5. Stephen Strasburg’s Debut
Stephen Strasburg did not disappoint all the people watching in the most anticipated debut of the baseball season. The 21-year-old dominated the Pirates lineup with 14 strikeouts, 0 BB, and 94 pitches (65 for strikes) in the Nationals 5-2 win. Strasburg finished off his successful night as he retired his final 10 batters, striking out his last seven.
4. Farewell Omar, Jerry
The Mets season might have ended with disappointment, but the replacement of General Manager Omar Minaya and Manager Jerry Manuel brought great pleasure for Mets fans after months of unsatisfactory management. With new additions, such as Sandy Alderson, J.P Ricciardi, and Paul DePodesta, Mets ownership seems determined to rebuild the organization…and they are not the only team to make big changes. The Marlins, Brewers, Braves, Blue Jays, Pirates, and Dodgers will also be starting the 2011 season with new managers.
3. Two Perfect Games
Dallas Braden and Roy Halladay’s perfect games epitomize the Year of the Pitcher for MLB in 2010. It is the only 20th century baseball season where two perfect games were thrown (the only other one occurred in 1880).
2. Roy Halladay’s Postseason No-Hitter
To throw a no-hitter is an amazing feat alone in itself, but to throw one in the postseason is something extraordinary. Roy Halladay continued to excel as he breezed through the Reds lineup to become the second pitcher ever to throw a no-no in the playoffs.
1. A Rangers vs. Giants World Series
The Rangers and the Giants played a great series as the underdogs of the ALCS and the NLCS made a run at the World Series Championship. The Rangers who have never won a playoff series before this season, proved to be strong competitors as they battled their way to the final series. And the Giants, who have had an intimidating rotation since Opening Day, won their first World Series title since 1954 (when they were still in New York).
“The whole world wanted to see the Phillies and Yankees in the World Series,” said Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff. “But you know what? It’s time for new blood.”
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