Dodgers Video: Cubs Fan Holding Baby Takes Catch Away From Gonzalez
After salvaging their series with the San Francisco Giants by exploding for 10 runs on Father’s Day, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit the road to begin a 10-game road trip Monday. Manager Don Mattingly and Jimmy Rollins both commented on the difficulty they expected to encounter along the way, and the first two games have supported their notion.
Clayton Kershaw struck out nine Monday at Wrigley Field, however he fell victim to the long ball, and the Chicago Cubs walked away with a win. While not as prolific in terms of strikeouts, Zack Greinke turned in a strong effort Tuesday, but the Cubs won on a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
Beginning with Joe Maddon getting hired during the offseason, it’s been a year of hope for the Cubs, who are now 39-30 heading into play Wednesday. Although they won Tuesday’s game, it wasn’t without a foul ball evoking memories of a not-so-pleasant past.
Jason Hammel lifted a ball into foul territory that Adrian Gonzalez had a beat on. As the ball sailed toward the stands off the first base line Gonzalez kept his eye on it, only to be robbed of a catch by a fan who was simultaneously feeding his baby.
Gonzalez showed a sense of humor over the situation, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
#Dodgers Adrian Gonzalez on #FatheroftheYear catch: "It would have been more impressive if the baby had caught it."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 24, 2015
While a fan interfering with a ball in the field of play typically warrants an automatic ejection, such was not the case Tuesday. However, Gonzalez didn’t take issue with that, according to co-host of Dodger Talk on AM 570 David Vassegh:
Adrian Gonzalez did not feel the Cubs fan should have been ejected. He was glad Dad & baby got to stay.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 24, 2015
The play was initially ruled a foul ball, however Dodgers manager Don Mattingly challenged the call given replay showed the fan reached into the field of play to make the bare-handed catch.
Steve Bartman didn’t catch the ball. He bobbled it and kept Alou from catching it. You’d think a sports announcer would know that.