It’s a saying that we’ve all heard (or said) many times in out lives – “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” (along with the similar saying “Close, but no cigar”), but they most certainly do not count in the game of baseball.
With his team trailing 3-1 and with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning, Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy came close to making it 5-3 Dodgers. But “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” not baseball.
But the news wasn’t all bad on Sunday. Dodgers Future Hall of Fame first baseman Freddie Freeman accounted for that lone Dodger run with his second home run of the season, a monster 425-foot solo blase to center field. What made Freeman’s home run all the more special is that his Canadian-born father and stepmother were at Rogers Centre to witness it.
“It was nice, especially here in Canada,” Freeman told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson postgame. “I know he’s seen a few of them in his day, but being here in Toronto and this special place for our family, I was happy I was able to do that for him.”
Us too, Freddie.
Freeman’s solo jack wasn’t the only good Dodgers news on Sunday. Fellow future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts extended his hitting streak to eight games with his 10th double of the season to lead off the top of the eighth. Unfortunately, the extremely popular Nashville, TN native was left standing on third base when Muncy hit his inning-ending “Close, but no cigar” fly ball to center field.
Because, as they say: “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
Play Ball!
* * * * * *
Yes; Muncy came close, but why was he even batting in that instanc? A lefty was brought in to pitch to him and Dave Roberts had Will Smith on the bench to pinch hit. It made no sense to me at the time and still doesn’t. Will Smith was then used in the next inning in a non win situation. Somebody PLEASE explain this non move to me.
BTW; I love Dave Roberts and the players do too!!