Infielder Wander Franco, who has grown into a star of the Tampa Bay Rays, is challenging a new realm of unwritten rules.
Franco showed a new trick (?) while defending in the top of the 7th inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates home game held at Tropicana Field on the 4th (Korean time).
After catching Brian Reynolds’ ground ball, he didn’t throw it right away, but threw it after bouncing it once with his hand. The result was still out.
Local media and social media heated up with his play like this. ‘The Athletic’ described this play as a ‘ball flip’ and introduced it as “like flipping a bat on defense.” ‘ESPN’ commented that Franco “opened up a new field of overcoming unwritten rules.”
At the time, Tampa Bay was leading 6-1, and Pittsburgh was at the moment of missing the second and third base opportunities. It wouldn’t have been a very pleasant scene from the opponent’s point of view.
Reynolds, who was a hitter at the time, said in an interview with The Athletic, “I saw (the play). I was not impressed at all,” he said, revealing his uncomfortable planting.
Tampa Bay coach Kevin Cash said in an interview ahead of the game on the 5th, “When I went home, my son saw me and asked me to practice the scene together. Unfortunately I don’t think I can. It’s because he doesn’t have the confidence to match Wander’s confidence. It is really special,” he said.
The overall atmosphere is welcoming the birth of a new ‘sightseeing’. Xavier Scruggs, who once played for NC Dinos and now works in broadcasting such as ‘MLB Network’, said on his Twitter, “I don’t like the so-called ‘old people’, but I can’t say anything. He is out and enjoying himself. Let’s remember this is a game,” defended Franco in writing.먹튀검증
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay will play the last game of the series on the 5th. Pittsburgh’s Vince Velazquez and Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin are the starters.
Pittsburgh Pirates Tucupita Macano (shortstop) Brian Reynolds (left fielder) Andrew McCutchen (designated hitter) Carlos Santata (first baseman) Jack Suwinsky (center fielder) Connor Joe (right fielder) Ki-Brian Hayes (third baseman) Bae Ji-hwan (2nd baseman) Base) Jason Delay (catcher) announced the lineup.
Tampa Bay Yandi Diaz (first baseman) Wander Franco (shortstop) Randy Arozarena (left fielder) Josh Lowe (designated hitter) Isaac Paredis (third baseman) Taylor Walls (second baseman) Luke Reilly (right fielder) Christian Betancourt (catcher) Manuel Margot (center fielder) will start.