Remember to Vogt
Since tonight is the first game of the World Series, I thought it was only proper to have a baseball video this evening. But even if you don't like baseball, this is still joyous.
A bit of background. Stephen Vogt is currently the manager of the Cleveland Indians, but before that he had a 10-year career playing -- mostly as a catcher, though he also occasionally played first base and the outfield. He played on six teams, though most of his career was with the Oakland Athletics, where he was extremely popular and for whom he returned to close out his playing days in 2022.
This video is of his last game. And to honor him, as a surprise, the team had his three little children announce him when he came to the plate for the first time. And that's charming enough -- but it's his last at bat that is the topper. Because in his very final plate appearance in the major leagues...on the very first pitch...he hit a home run!
(This is no small matter because he only hit 82 in his full career, with the most in any season being 18. By the way, his first at bat in the majors? It was a home run!)
It's fine to stop watching after he excitedly leaps around the bases and his teammates celebrate with him, though it's fun to keep watching since the broadcast replays the home run from a bunch of different angles, including a camera isolated on Vogt during the entire play, another on his father, and one on his teammates -- who seem almost happier than Vogt, as much as that seems improbable.
By the way, when he comes to the plate for his final at bat, note that at the 2:20 mark, as he's announced, the camera cuts to the stands. And if you look closely, you'll see three little kids jumping up and down.
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