And then this awkward hug/slap hands with teammate A.J. Ellis:pic.twitter.com/th4uCPkuhB
— nick pants (@nick_pants) June 23, 2016
If Jerry Seinfeld invented the "shmug"—half handshake, half hug—then Puig and Ellis have invented the "slug"—half slap, half hug. Even if the Los Angeles Dodgers never overtake the San Francisco Giants in the National League West, they'll always have the slug. This is the same franchise that popularized the high five, so it's no small consideration.The slide & slightly confused celly pic.twitter.com/2XQvQOEzso
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) June 23, 2016
2. Someone Beat the Chicago Cubs Several Days in a Row (LW: NR)The Cubs dropped three straight at Wrigley Field to the St. Louis Cardinals, and then lost a game in Miami. They are still 23 games over .500 and lead the Cards by nine games in the NL Central. But by taking just the first two games of the series, the Cardinals did something nobody else had in 2016:
A few days earlier, the Cubs led the NL Central by 12.5, the team's biggest division/league lead since 1929. The Roaring Twenties! Well, we know what else happened in 1929. (A big crash? Yes, a big crash.)3-T: Mike Trout and Manny Machado (NC)The #Cubs have lost home games on consecutive days for the first time this season
— Chris De Luca (@ChrisDeLuca) June 22, 2016
As the league leader in wins, ERA, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeouts, FIP, WHIP, chips and dip, Kershaw is the definite leader for NL Cy Young and MVP awards as we approach the midway point of the season. Kershaw also has been working on another impressive ratio, that of balls to fingers:Kershaw's K:BB rate is 19.0. K:BB rates after 0-2 counts this year:
Scherzer: 15.3
Bumgarner: 15.0
Greinke: 15.0
Cueto: 12.3
Sale: 11.8
— Sam Miller (@SamMillerBP) June 17, 2016
6. Eugenio Suarez Shocks Himself by Making a Play (LW: NR)Clayton Kershaw holding 6 baseballs in one hand.
— Joseph Kim (@blackwings2011)June 19, 2016
Harsh!Thor later walked back his critique, calling it "a tad savage." He also offered the kid a signed ball. Mr. Kalegi later deleted the tweet with the photo of the art project. Moral of the story: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and honesty is the best policy—unless it's not.Really? That's the best you got? Still appreciate the (fill in word here).https://t.co/8Xu7rVIrqj
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) June 20, 2016
A literal whirling dervish. Cabrera is the best. At what, we're still gathering intel. The guy does have a history of being jumpy:9. Jobu Returns to the Indians (LW: NR)The mere presence of Juan Uribe should lead everyone to believe that the Cleveland Indians are the best team in the AL Central. And when the Indians win, inevitable comparisons arise with the great Indians teams of the past, most notably the '89 squad that beat the New York Yankees to win the old AL East. Furthermore, like Jake Taylor might have 27 years ago, slugger Mike Napoli has taken on the part of clubhouse leader in bringing back the franchise's best good-luck charm. Napoli and Jason Kipnis have returned Jobu to the fold:He's just the fucking best. pic.twitter.com/45kqChziex
— Write Sox (@WriteSox) June 21, 2016
Why don't the Indians just ditch Chief Wahoo once and for all and make Jobu the team's emblem? Put Jobu on the sleeves. The cigarette in his mouth might not set the best example, but his spirit does embody what Napoli brings the Indians. Not only home runs, RBIs, and leadership but also style:Shrine to Jobu erected between Mike Napoli and Jason Kipnis' locker. pic.twitter.com/MuuNDUKBDf
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) June 22, 2016
This is where J.R. Smith got the shirtless idea.It's going to be a great year for Cleveland.10. James Shields' Scoreless Streak (LW: 9)Shields came in with an impossibly high 21.81 ERA in three starts for the Chicago White Sox, but he kept the Red Sox off the board until the fifth inning Thursday afternoon, and allowed just three runs on the day. In the process, Shields lowered his ERA to 15.80.Want to read more stories like this from VICE Sports? Subscribe to our daily newsletter.Mike Napoli is walking around Boston drunk and shirtless #DayMade pic.twitter.com/fO7yirlego
— Frank the Koala (@SenpaiKoala) November 2, 2013