One of the more random and thrilling moments of recent-ish baseball history was during the 2002 World Series. The Giants were playing the Angels, leading 8-4 in the 7th inning, and Barry Bonds was at the plate with two men on.
Because he was Barry Bonds and exceptionally good at hitting baseballs, Bonds ripped a triple off the wall. Cool moment, definitely. The crowd loved it.
What happened at home plate was what made the moment last, however. That was when J.T. Snow reacted in an instant to grab Dusty Baker’s toddler son, Darren, who had managed to get on the field and tried to run into the direct path of large, sprinting men on the basepaths.
It was an odd, out-of-place moment of humanity in a major sporting event, and it’s stayed with many of us.
You can see Bonds’ reaction when he reaches third base — he doesn’t celebrate, but instead is concerned for the young Baker, and a bit confused as to what happened.
Anyway, it was a real moment, one that baseball fans will undoubtedly remember for a long time. That’s not why we’re here, though. We’re here to feel old. Really old.
Here’s Darren Baker now:
The great Bomani Jones pointed it out on Twitter, and for that we thank him, and will now go back to feeling ancient and miserable.
Darren Baker was drafted in the 27th round three years ago by the Nationals, but instead decided to honor his commitment to Cal, where apparently he’s doing quite well for himself. Last year the infielder slashed a .367 / .335 / .702 line with 21 stolen bases in 52 games.
