During a game in Milwaukee, Toronto Blue Jays player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faced an unexpected challenge when his bat went flying and got stuck in the protective netting designed to shield fans from foul balls.
An Unusual Dilemma
After losing his bat, Guerrero continued the game with a different one, while his original remained suspended high above the Blue Jays’ dugout. His teammates were divided in their opinions about whether he should retrieve it or not, but Guerrero was determined to get it back.
Blue Jays’ clubhouse manager, Mustafa “Moose” Hassan, along with other team members, collaborated to find a solution to retrieve the stuck bat. The Brewers visiting clubhouse manager, Phil Rozewicz, provided them with a long metal rod equipped with a hook on one end to assist in the retrieval process.
Despite several unsuccessful attempts using the rod, the team did not give up. Toronto pitcher Chris Bassitt shared that center fielder Kevin Kiermaier came up with the idea to use a ring of tape around the hook to create a makeshift ‘grabber’ to catch the bat and bring it down.
Persistence Pays Off
After multiple tries, Bassitt ultimately succeeded in snagging the bat from the netting, much to the relief and cheers of his teammates. The bat slipped through the circle of tape and landed on the dugout, ready to be returned to Guerrero for future plate appearances.
Thanks to the collective efforts of the Blue Jays team, Guerrero was able to use his cherished bat for the remainder of the game. Although he hit a fly ball to left field and ended the game with a ground out, the story of the stuck bat became a memorable moment in the game.
Overall, the incident highlighted the teamwork, creativity, and determination of the Blue Jays players in overcoming an unexpected obstacle during the game in Milwaukee.
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