Didn’t see it, but you should still know about it
Posted on March 26th, 2008 – 1:27 PMBy Howard
In the third inning of today’s game, Elliot Johnson of the Rays put down what was described on the radio as a perfect bunt.
But he was thrown out when Livan Hernandez kicked the ball, in the air, to Justin Morneau at first base. According to an incredulous Gordo and Gladden, the play received a standing ovation — from the stands and from the Tampa Bay dugout
There’d better be video.
Livan gave up one run in his first four innings. The newly installed center fielder, Gogomez, misplayed a line drive that turned into a triple by Akinori Iwamura, who scored on Jason Bartlett’s double.
Livan’s final line — 6 innings, 4 hits (2 by Bartlett), 1 run, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts.
other people are here too
25 Responses to "Didn’t see it, but you should still know about it"
and now GoGomez has left the game after pulling up lame chasing down a ball in the gap.
I was wondering why Punto was in the game. Sounds like we’re falling apart right before opening day! Is Span going to get his wish?
sounds like one of those once in a lifetime plays.
Maybe a baseball play of the year for ESPN?
I dunno BC. That Royals guy hurdling the pitcher may have something to say to that. And it’s only preseason!
But seriously…in the air! When I first read about it, I pictured him kicking it off the ground.
T,
The “word picture” from Gordo was that the ball was on the ground and Livan got it into the air to first base. Slick.
Can’t wait to see that play. Probably won’t have another opportunity - I’m guessing that the Twins’ coaches didn’t love it.
I hope Bartlett hits 1.000 against the Twins, he was not treated like he deserved to be when he was here (imo, as are most of my statements that aren’t facts).
I wonder if he’d try it in the regular season. I hope so!
I dunno… since everything you really need to know about baseball can be gleened from watching “Bull Durham”, I’m not sold.
“Baseball is a simple game… you throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball.”
I don’t know if I’m ready to add, “you kick the ball”.
Still… I wish I’d been there to see it 
Hey, BC, what happened to your myspace page?
As far as whether a player attempts a play like that, and the coaches hating it, I doubt any coach would EVER complain about a player trying to make a play on a ball that was virtually unplayable, as long as it isn’t a wild, no-look throw. Big difference in a short kicked ball/ a glove shovel pass or a long across the diamond throw on a play where the runner is CLEARLY going to beat it out.
On the short play, the ball has very little momentum, so if it gets away from the first baseman, it will only roll a few feet, a hard throw from the corner may go into the dugout, or worse, into the stands.
I have had the occasion to throw from the outfield grass to first, and airmailed it to first on a play were there was clearly no chance, and I was pissed at myself for making the throw, and my coach at the time didn’t say a word since he knew that I knew that it was a stupid play.
I am sure that most players today have played alot of soccer in their youth, so it probably isn’t that hard to believe that the play is a possibilty. I would think that it would take a pretty good swipe at the ball to get it into the air with any sort of momentum, and with that kind of kick, I am sure he will have a sore foot for a few days. I remember kicking balls back to the infield and cracked my toenail once, never did it again. Simple truth is, I didn’t play soccer in my youth, so I didn’t realize that a toe-punch isn’t the right way to kick/control a soccer-ball, much less a baseball:)
Me Too,
I was imagining that it looked something like Ronaldinho’s chip against China.
I wonder if Santana is pitching the Mets game tomorrow at noon on ESPN.
Looks like Oliver Perez for the Mets tomorrow. The game was once scheduled to be a night game and I was hoping to catch it after going to the Twins/Reds game tomorrow afternoon. Ah well.
Eh, if you can’t bend down to get the ball, you adapt, I guess. Maybe Livan and Boof should room together on the road?
I doubt any coach would EVER complain about a player trying to make a play on a ball that was virtually unplayable
I wonder if the concern is that by doing something such as that you’re risking the other guy not being ready (who’s looking for a ball to get KICKED?)
The play was great! It was kind of surreal, but really got the crowd buzzing. It was the only thing that got the crowd going, I thought. For a full house, it was a quiet bunch. Beautiful day for baseball, however. I’m gonna miss this place. 
Has anybody seen it on ESPN or anywhere?
All
Saw it tonight on Ch. 11. Nice footwork, Morneau caught it around calf height. More of a play of the day than a play of the year. In other words, not quite Blake Hoffarber’s butt-on-the-floor shot for Hopkins a few years back.
Just saw it on Ch 11 as well. I concur with Howard.
Probably was the only way to get him out. Close play, not a lot of flash, looked professional.
I’m awaiting comment from the coaches and players………
BTW Joe Torre is on Leno tonight.
Well c’mon!… let’s get that thing on the web, Howard! Contact ch 11… get the rights to it.. hubba hubba!
Jeez, you have to tell these bloggers to do everything!
It made the top 10 ten plays on sportscenter. #3 behind a women’s basketball layup (#2) and a soccer play where a soccer player kicked the soccer ball, and it went into the goal(#1). Apparently that’s unusual?
ben,
What? Livan getting someone out???
Ben, I saw that this morning, too. I didn’t realize until after it was over that it was a *Twins* highlight.
The #1 soccer goal was unusual in that the goaltender came way out of the goal to get the ball and either missed picking it up, mishandled it, or the opposing player kicked the ball at the goal before he could get to it.
If someone finds it on the Web, let us know! I’d like to see it again. (Does ESPN run these on their site?)
Hopefully Livan getting people out will be a regular occurance this year. I guess I’m biased against soccer and women’s basketball (especially when a layup is considered a spectacular play - okay, the special part was the backwards pass that preceded the layup). In soccer, unless there’s some sort of acrobatic upside down kick or juke move, I just don’t get it being the top play.
Oh well, it’s possible that the order of the top plays isn’t always universally accepted by all fans.
For everyone who didn’t get a chance to see the video:
Zounds!
