A New York Mets fan made a catch that can simultaneously be described as fantastic and terrifying all in one.
In the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, New York’s Starling Marte launched a home run to straightaway centerfield, landing on the black hitter’s backdrop at Citi Field. After it landed, the ball bounced toward the fans. One reached over and grabbed the ball — while holding his child.
GIVE THIS DAD CATCH OF THE YEAR! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Nratabnmk1
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 31, 2022
Given how disastrous baseballs into the stands can be, we have to tip our cap to anyone who can catch a ball cleanly like this. Yes, it was on a bounce. Still, plenty of fans would have screwed that play up with two free hands. This fan did not.
And given the circumstances around it, baseball fans had a lot to say about this play.
Put this guy in the Hall of Fame!!!
Also take away his baby ASAP. https://t.co/EUFCbhNMZa
— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) June 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/middleburgher/status/1531790970144137218
Catching a ball while holding a child = auto RT from me … every time https://t.co/PGjayBZc8w
— Adam Winkler (@AdamWinkABC13) May 31, 2022
Dad goals. https://t.co/gnO6pzDLul
— Timothy Beechler aka Screaming Eagle (@germantownpc) May 31, 2022
If that isn't that kid's mom sitting next to him, that dad will never hear the end of it from mom. https://t.co/ucJiQtSEZp
— 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗙𝗦 & 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗦 (@LineStarApp) May 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/mt_newman/status/1531785661593927680
https://twitter.com/AJClark23/status/1531784690780323843
We saw a similar play with a Cincinnati Reds fan earlier in the year, who caught a foul ball with one hand while feeding his baby with the other. But that fan never left his seat. This fan not only left his feet but had his child over the railing at one point. That would have been a nasty fall. Fortunately, no harm came from it.
And while the kid is likely too young to remember this game in the future, he’ll always have a souvenier and a highlight-reel play to commemorate this outing to the park with his old man.
[SNY]
