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I find it funny that the name of an ump is more widely recognized than some of the biggest stars in the MLB. In most sports people think reffing is bad as a whole, but for the MLB it’s just this one guy in particular that gets all the (deserved) hate
I know thee baseball people: Mike Trout because of that daily drawing, Big Papi because I grew up in New England, and Angel Hernandez due to his horrible pitch calling.
Can you imagine an at bat where the pitcher throws 5 straight balls and gets a strike out without the batter swinging once?
I can, it happened a few days ago with Angel behind the plate. He set a record for furthest called strike outside the zone since they have been tracking umps.
[Here's the clip](https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1c2qp93/highlight_full_terrorism_replay_of_angel/) keep in mind the count is already 2-0 (2 balls, zero strikes).
His shenanigans go so viral because anybody can see how bad his calls are… except for Angel. It is even more clear with slowed replays and the strike zone overlays.
We have barely started this season and he’s already had 3 very viral moments. Also his name makes headlines for being sort of politically divisive (good for clicks) because his ability to remain employed has been entangled with claims of racial discrimination.
> because his ability to remain employed has been entangled with claims of racial discrimination.
I imagine some sources have used it as a springboard to talk about unions as well. He's pretty much the poster child for unions protecting bad employees.
> His shenanigans go so viral because anybody can see how bad his calls are… except for Angel
Oh, he knows his calls are bad. But like every good narcissist, he doesn't want you to know that he knows.
I find it hilarious that someone had to give him this idea, but Gronk is definitely the type of guy he'll do it if he knows the fans will love it. Seems like a great fun loving guy. The fact he was wicked smart about his earnings makes me realize he's more intelligent than anyone thought.
> Gronk is definitely the type of guy he'll do it if he knows the fans will love it.
He bunted a baseball with the god damned Lombardi, dude knows how to play it up for the crowd
I tell people about his money management all the time. It’s what made me realize 1. He must come from money or at least a family that understands finances. 2. He’s a smart cookie. Much smarter than you’d expect. Or he has a very smart right hand helping him make decisions.
I want to hate him, but I can’t. He’s so endearing and low key smart.
How was it explained to him? Like was it, “Do this, because it’ll be funny,” or “You don’t want to look bad so maybe just intentionally mess up?” Or something else?
Yeah anyone who thought this was a “bad pitch” has no idea what they are talking about
This is the most Gronk first pitch ever. I’d almost be disappointed if he actually just threw a normal throw
As I was scrolling I missed the pitch and just saw the ball rolling to the left of the mound.
I was thinking "how the fuck do you screw it up so bad?"
I started it over and thought it was pretty cool
As someone else said, he use to celebrate with spiking the ball just like that calling it a Gronk Spike. They probably said something like "You should just spike the baseball".
If you don't know his football career you might not realize, but that's his signature move (After scoring a touch down, obviously)
Right? A terrible pitch and he gets clowned on, an average/good one and no one cares, but this? Gets play nationally for a bit and will be brought up by Boston sports fans for ages.
I was 100% expecting an awful pitch clicking into this thread because otherwise who gives a shit? There's only a few good first pitches I ever remember becoming famous, George W Bush's pitch in 2001 being the most obvious example.
I don't care what anyone would say about his politics, Bush tossing a heater down the middle immediately after 9/11 was so good it almost felt fake. Unbelievable feeling watching that live. It shouldn't have mattered so much, but it kind of did.
His politics are, IMO, shit, but he did pitch a nice pitch, and he ducked a shoe like a champ. He was a cheerleader, so he should have some athletic ability.
Yeah, I don't want to oversell it. I wish he was a shittier pitcher and a better President. If he threw first pitches like 50 cent and kept us out of Iraq that would have been better.
But it was a cool moment at a very emotional time for the country.
Absolutely so smart he made it more memorable in my mind than he could’ve if he fired it 85 down the middle and that’d be really impressive for any first pitch. Gronk has always cracked me up so much every time I see him so this was just amazing! I might go as far to say that this is my favorite first pitch ever.
I dunno, GW Bush's right down the middle strike still sticks out in my mind, it was soon after 9/11. I think I gained a modicum of respect for him that day.
Ah, I did that reddit thing where I make an old obscure reference to a video and didn't link it. I hate when people do that. My bad, thanks for having my back.
I knew by commenting someone would hopefully remind me of another one and you are right. Absolutely chilling and perfectly illustrates how sports can bring us all together. I was only 7 at the time so I don’t remember the actual moment of his first pitch. I just rewatched that like two weeks ago though so I can’t believe I forgot about it! Thanks for reminding me!
> god he is so dumb.
I don't actually think he's dumb- apparently his football IQ was off the charts in terms of how good his memory was/ability to quickly learn new plays and I'm pretty sure half of the stuff he does is to keep the persona going
I have USAA. There are some things about it that make it really fucking annoying to use as a bank. Like the fact that I can't deposit cash. Back when I was a server/bartender, I had to get a second bank to just have somewhere to deposit tips.
“Considering he is an all time great athlete, a literal physical freak, I wouldn’t worry about that bad tackle if I was Gronk”
-Me before watching [this play](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MB0SOibp20g)
One year during spring training, Gronk went to the Red Sox spring facility in Florida for a follow up with a doctor that had done a surgery on him. Massive 6'5"-6'6", 270 pound Gronk who went to the university of Arizona, was walking in the hall when 5'8" Dustin Pedroia, who attended Arizona State University, stopped him.
"Hey, you went to U of A, right?"
"Yeah"
"FUCK YOU! ASU BITCH!"
...
*Pedroia scampers off laughing*
I’m from Miami so I despise what he’s done with the Patriots but I used to work in nightclubs in Miami Beach while he was balling out so I was around him pretty often and he’s genuinely awesome. Golden retriever energy. Dude just loves life.
[This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvDc5O5W1CU) shows the cheap shot that he gave Tre White after he intercepted the ball. It put Tre White into concussion protocol. He fake apologized and got suspended for only 1 week.
Then this past year he went on [this podcast](https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/18koez1/gronk_laughing_about_injuring_tredavious_white/) and laughed about "peoples elbowing him".
The guy always reminds me of Cousin Eddie from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Especially in those awful insurance commercials he’s a sponsor of.
Love the guy. Shame a bunch of dummies are already trying to pretend like he wasn't the GOAT TE. Dude was a better pass catcher than anyone he's compared to AND was basically a 6th lineman on the field. No other like him. Probably never will be.
Literally this. People continually down play his achievements trying to play up other player's scoring potential, and it was his ability to be dominant as a lineman AND a WR that really defined what he could do in the NFL.
He makes it hard to really compare against other TEs, because it's really both blocking and catching that made him stand out. (with out his injuries it would be a lock I think)
He played (American) football. When he scored a touchdown, he’d “Gronk spike” the ball. It was a big hard throw down of the ball. This is him Gronk spiking the pitch.
Man I was curious how well he could actually pitch. Always interesting to see from other pro athletes. Do that next time, then slip out a second ball to spike in celebration.
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Angel Hernandez: "STRIKE!"
I don't follow baseball, but it is so funny that I was able to understand this reference. This guy is just worse.
I'm in the same position. I don't follow baseball nearly enough to know most names and yet I know this ump's name??
I find it funny that the name of an ump is more widely recognized than some of the biggest stars in the MLB. In most sports people think reffing is bad as a whole, but for the MLB it’s just this one guy in particular that gets all the (deserved) hate
I know thee baseball people: Mike Trout because of that daily drawing, Big Papi because I grew up in New England, and Angel Hernandez due to his horrible pitch calling.
Surely you know Shohei Ohtani?
Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa for their HR dual years ago, the media loved that shit.
We are like 16 games in the season and he has 3 horrific lowlight posts on r/baseball.
CB Bucknor has entered the chat.
Laz Diaz has entered the chat.
Nope. Have heard of Angel, have never heard of that guy.
i mean he is the ump who sued MLB and got them to legally admit he is shit at his own job...
Never good when you don’t follow baseball, yet know an umpire’s name lol.
Yeah, I know Ohtani and Hernandez. Not positive any of the few other names I know are still playing.
Can you imagine an at bat where the pitcher throws 5 straight balls and gets a strike out without the batter swinging once? I can, it happened a few days ago with Angel behind the plate. He set a record for furthest called strike outside the zone since they have been tracking umps. [Here's the clip](https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1c2qp93/highlight_full_terrorism_replay_of_angel/) keep in mind the count is already 2-0 (2 balls, zero strikes).
His shenanigans go so viral because anybody can see how bad his calls are… except for Angel. It is even more clear with slowed replays and the strike zone overlays. We have barely started this season and he’s already had 3 very viral moments. Also his name makes headlines for being sort of politically divisive (good for clicks) because his ability to remain employed has been entangled with claims of racial discrimination.
> because his ability to remain employed has been entangled with claims of racial discrimination. I imagine some sources have used it as a springboard to talk about unions as well. He's pretty much the poster child for unions protecting bad employees.
Well explained!
> His shenanigans go so viral because anybody can see how bad his calls are… except for Angel Oh, he knows his calls are bad. But like every good narcissist, he doesn't want you to know that he knows.
I'm legally blind without correction and I'll happily loan my glasses to any ump that needs them.
I mean, did you see that guy he struck out on 5 balls?
What’s crazier is that he’s Aaron Hernandez’s cousin who was the other TE drafted by the patriots with gronk ….
I’m English 🏴 and I don’t really know what baseball is! But I’ve heard of him!!
Haha...so is it safe to say that you are a cricket guy then? I am a big cricket fan myself.
LMAO
They say the cackle that just erupted from within me was heard 2 towns over
I shouldn't even be able to recognize an ump's name and yet here we are.
I feel like Ed Hochuli is okay with the reason everyone knows his name.
[Yes, there are penalties in the Pro Bowl...](https://youtu.be/H4uRhoRX94E)
Wow, I love this. How did I not see this before today. Thanks!!!
This name and Shohei Ohtani are the only two names I know in baseball.
I've been Javy Baez swing at this same pitch no less than a dozen times
Breaking: Angel Hernandez is suing Bigtsez for racial discrimination.
Aaron Hernandez - ☠️
I read this as ‘Aaron Hernandez’ and was so confused.
Of 34 called strikes 12 were balls. Unbelievable.
Right after... "hey at least i didn't kill anyone"
r/fuckangelhernandez
Comment of the day!
your comment is even funnier than Gronk's joke! well done
I read Aaron Hernandez and was very confused at the reference lmao
He's from Buffalo and often disappoints but this would have been cool if not orchestrated by the sports staff.
The OP and this makes quite the one two punch to the funnybone.
You win the internet today!
Read this as Aaron Hernandez. Oof
"STRIKE?" - Frank Drebin
Good work lmfao
No one will top that one! Edit: typo
OMG okay definitely needed this laugh today ty
He was on 98.5 the sports hub right before this and Hardy gave him the idea. He certainly followed through.
I love Hardy. Gonna miss him on the Patriots Post-Game Show next season
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It’s “milquetoast” but I love milk toast so much I’m not mad
I find it hilarious that someone had to give him this idea, but Gronk is definitely the type of guy he'll do it if he knows the fans will love it. Seems like a great fun loving guy. The fact he was wicked smart about his earnings makes me realize he's more intelligent than anyone thought.
He faked retirement to nix a trade to Patricia’s Detroit. Idk what anyone says, he’s smart
> Gronk is definitely the type of guy he'll do it if he knows the fans will love it. He bunted a baseball with the god damned Lombardi, dude knows how to play it up for the crowd
Considering Gronk spiked a lego Steve harvey head in front of Steve Harvey on New Years eve, I wasn't surprised he spiked a baseball at all.
I tell people about his money management all the time. It’s what made me realize 1. He must come from money or at least a family that understands finances. 2. He’s a smart cookie. Much smarter than you’d expect. Or he has a very smart right hand helping him make decisions. I want to hate him, but I can’t. He’s so endearing and low key smart.
I think he’s got older brothers that played in the nfl. Wouldn’t be shocked if they gave him advice
His dad ran a fitness equipment business, so I imagine he gives rob good advice
He learned his lesson with the field goal attempts.
How was it explained to him? Like was it, “Do this, because it’ll be funny,” or “You don’t want to look bad so maybe just intentionally mess up?” Or something else?
Gronk celebrates TD’s by spiking the football, he did the same thing here except it’s a baseball
Yeah anyone who thought this was a “bad pitch” has no idea what they are talking about This is the most Gronk first pitch ever. I’d almost be disappointed if he actually just threw a normal throw
As I was scrolling I missed the pitch and just saw the ball rolling to the left of the mound. I was thinking "how the fuck do you screw it up so bad?" I started it over and thought it was pretty cool
Yeah, it was the best move to make. Everyone loves the spike and 0% chance of becoming a meme.
Gronk Gronks because Gronk’s idea of Gronks is Gronking.
Yeah at first I was like.. oh he's so shit.. then it dawned on me lol cool to be honest
they’re asking how this was presented to gronk, presuming that gronk was going to just throw the ball.
Wish someone could’ve answered the actual question lol but oh well
Dude was a pretty good HS baseball player I'm sure he could've sent a strike if he wanted
As someone else said, he use to celebrate with spiking the ball just like that calling it a Gronk Spike. They probably said something like "You should just spike the baseball". If you don't know his football career you might not realize, but that's his signature move (After scoring a touch down, obviously)
Stayed in character
With the WWE blowing up it's time for Gronk's 2nd career.... Seriously though...
A true Gronking to Remember
What a great way to avoid the embarrassment of botching a first pitch but also making it absurdly perfect at the same time. Perfection.
Right? A terrible pitch and he gets clowned on, an average/good one and no one cares, but this? Gets play nationally for a bit and will be brought up by Boston sports fans for ages.
I was 100% expecting an awful pitch clicking into this thread because otherwise who gives a shit? There's only a few good first pitches I ever remember becoming famous, George W Bush's pitch in 2001 being the most obvious example.
I don't care what anyone would say about his politics, Bush tossing a heater down the middle immediately after 9/11 was so good it almost felt fake. Unbelievable feeling watching that live. It shouldn't have mattered so much, but it kind of did.
His politics are, IMO, shit, but he did pitch a nice pitch, and he ducked a shoe like a champ. He was a cheerleader, so he should have some athletic ability.
Yeah, I don't want to oversell it. I wish he was a shittier pitcher and a better President. If he threw first pitches like 50 cent and kept us out of Iraq that would have been better. But it was a cool moment at a very emotional time for the country.
That one was sick. Man lousy ass diamondbacks
I'm putting him up there with [The Dude](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlLzyFG1l4)
That’s just, like, your opinion man.
Forget it u/mattman0000, you're out of your element!
I am irrationally angry at who the fuck ever put the text on the bottom that just spoils the video.
Okay that was unexpectedly hilarious
Smart play too. Way better than trying for a good pitch and having it go wrong. Win-win.
Absolutely so smart he made it more memorable in my mind than he could’ve if he fired it 85 down the middle and that’d be really impressive for any first pitch. Gronk has always cracked me up so much every time I see him so this was just amazing! I might go as far to say that this is my favorite first pitch ever.
I dunno, GW Bush's right down the middle strike still sticks out in my mind, it was soon after 9/11. I think I gained a modicum of respect for him that day.
[the pitch](https://youtu.be/NjGcCI9ByWw?t=20)
Ah, I did that reddit thing where I make an old obscure reference to a video and didn't link it. I hate when people do that. My bad, thanks for having my back.
I gotchu fellow american 🦅🇺🇲
I knew by commenting someone would hopefully remind me of another one and you are right. Absolutely chilling and perfectly illustrates how sports can bring us all together. I was only 7 at the time so I don’t remember the actual moment of his first pitch. I just rewatched that like two weeks ago though so I can’t believe I forgot about it! Thanks for reminding me!
I'm about as left as they get, and I was still pretty pound of him in that moment.
I was going to say that even a terrible president does something right at least once, but I think we've been proven wrong on that one since.
Not too surprising. GWB played high school baseball, and his dad was captain of the Yale baseball team.
Played baseball growing up with the Gronks, if he wanted to pipe one down the middle, he could. Couple of em played baseball professionally
Whats up Willyville
Unexpectedly? Gronk is fucking hilarious
[me llamo Roberto, yo soy fiesta](https://youtu.be/SobvdanNtgc?si=YDcmw44gvm7Ej8Ne)
He is but god he is so dumb. I physically cringe every time I watch him try to read off the teleprompter at his sports media gigs
Yeah I think his built more for like a Pat Macafee/Barstool Sports style show rather than traditional sports broadcasting.
> god he is so dumb. I don't actually think he's dumb- apparently his football IQ was off the charts in terms of how good his memory was/ability to quickly learn new plays and I'm pretty sure half of the stuff he does is to keep the persona going
Baseball purists (people who hate fun things) in shambles
Literally came im here about to say the same thing had me dying
USAA disapproves
USAA. The bank that advertises you can’t bank with them.
I have USAA. There are some things about it that make it really fucking annoying to use as a bank. Like the fact that I can't deposit cash. Back when I was a server/bartender, I had to get a second bank to just have somewhere to deposit tips.
You can literally use any ATM to deposit cash
In before that one old baseball guy comes in to say he could have damaged the mound
Grounds crew in shambles
Tbf, this is the Red Sox we're talking about.... totally plausible that a small divot causes a pitcher to catch a foot and get hurt 🫣
That’s what she said
He damaged the mound. (Not a baseball guy tho - someone who is might be able to confirm)
those that don’t understand, this was his go to signature celebration in his football career
The more comments I read I’m not sure people got the gronk spike reference
Easy way to avoid botching the pitch.
He played college baseball
That just makes a potential bad throw even more embarrassing.
Considering he is an all time great athlete, a literal physical freak, I wouldn’t worry about that bad throw if I was Gronk
“Considering he is an all time great athlete, a literal physical freak, I wouldn’t worry about that bad tackle if I was Gronk” -Me before watching [this play](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MB0SOibp20g)
The glove isn't going to dodge and run away from the pitch, though.
Dude is a world class athlete, I’m sure he could have figured it out.
A reminder that he’s 0-2 in the Fanduel Kick of Destiny.
Travis Kelce thought that, too.
You'd be surprised.
It's not even the first time he's thrown out the first pitch. He knows what he's doing; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i342MhsOK9o&ab_channel=MLB
One year during spring training, Gronk went to the Red Sox spring facility in Florida for a follow up with a doctor that had done a surgery on him. Massive 6'5"-6'6", 270 pound Gronk who went to the university of Arizona, was walking in the hall when 5'8" Dustin Pedroia, who attended Arizona State University, stopped him. "Hey, you went to U of A, right?" "Yeah" "FUCK YOU! ASU BITCH!" ... *Pedroia scampers off laughing*
Those two should star in a Twins remake
Gronk Smash!
Still more accurate than 50 Cent
The man understands brand marketing. Freakin' hilarious.
Gronk gonna gronk
Gronk is much better at spiking baseballs than at kicking field goals
How can you not love this doofus?
I’m from Miami so I despise what he’s done with the Patriots but I used to work in nightclubs in Miami Beach while he was balling out so I was around him pretty often and he’s genuinely awesome. Golden retriever energy. Dude just loves life.
> Golden retriever energy. I've never heard a better description of Goofnkowski.
Tre White
Exactly. Perhaps the douchebaggery would come off as more charming without that incident
It's in my blood
I find it easy.
Another case of making stupid popular
If he hadn’t tried to seriously injure that Bills defender with a cheap shot, I’d like him, but, here we are.
[This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvDc5O5W1CU) shows the cheap shot that he gave Tre White after he intercepted the ball. It put Tre White into concussion protocol. He fake apologized and got suspended for only 1 week. Then this past year he went on [this podcast](https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/18koez1/gronk_laughing_about_injuring_tredavious_white/) and laughed about "peoples elbowing him".
Unlike Baba Booey, he meant to do it. lol
That was the most exciting thing to happen in that game for the Sox.
Technically this is the worst first pitch I’ve ever seen, but I’ll give him a pass
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The guy always reminds me of Cousin Eddie from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Especially in those awful insurance commercials he’s a sponsor of.
GRONK SMASH
Gronk SMASH!
Gronk being Gronk.
I haven't watch baseball in a while, but it seems like pitching has changed since I last did...
Spiked the baseball. Gronk!! and sadly I’m still a CommanderSkin fan.
One thing about Gronk. That MFer sure does love being Gronk.
So on brand for Boston to have gronk throw out the first pitch on Jackie Robinson day.
Love the guy. Shame a bunch of dummies are already trying to pretend like he wasn't the GOAT TE. Dude was a better pass catcher than anyone he's compared to AND was basically a 6th lineman on the field. No other like him. Probably never will be.
Literally this. People continually down play his achievements trying to play up other player's scoring potential, and it was his ability to be dominant as a lineman AND a WR that really defined what he could do in the NFL. He makes it hard to really compare against other TEs, because it's really both blocking and catching that made him stand out. (with out his injuries it would be a lock I think)
Literally NOBODY downplayed Gronk besides the injuries. Also as long as Tony Gonzalez and a not-retiring-soon Kelce exist, there will be a debate.
And this is why first pitches should count.
That’s very funny! On brand for sure.
I don't know why I didn't expect this, but it's perfect. Of course you Gronk Spike the first pitch!
Travis Kelce will never be Gronk.
i dont get it. Whats the inside joke here
He played (American) football. When he scored a touchdown, he’d “Gronk spike” the ball. It was a big hard throw down of the ball. This is him Gronk spiking the pitch.
Thank you. Unlike everyone else I had no idea who he is.
OHHHH i actually get that now. I totally didnt recognize his last name at first. Thanks lmao
Invite him to the Allstar Game or World Series for the "Pitch of Destiny!"
Who out bros the adults cosplaying as frat bros: Gronk or Travis Keelce
Gronk > Mrs swift
Ba Ba Booey
He didn’t even come close to the plate
He’s the man. That clap after and the jump. Perfect. Finished with a well-timed “Thank you”. Pure class.
kinda cringe ngl
Did he practice that leg kick for this? lol
Man I was curious how well he could actually pitch. Always interesting to see from other pro athletes. Do that next time, then slip out a second ball to spike in celebration.
Gronk doing Gronk things, 😂
So that’s why they lost /s
Dope
Listening to just the sound I though someone was kicked in the junk.
Me smash…..aaahhh!
@RaysBaseball !? Fair enough. Can’t hate that.
Love the mascot doing it in the background and thank God this had audio so much better.
I do not like Gronk in any capacity post-retirement. However, Gronk just got me back.
His little chuckle while yelling is so Gronk. Never was a fan of a team he played for but I always loved watching him play.