"That's gotta count for extra runs" - Giants fans react after Patrick Bailey smokes homer that lands in lap of kayaker in McCovey Cove
San Francisco Giants slugger Patrick Bailey did something that all players who have played at Oracle Park dream of. He hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning that made its way to McCovey Cove.
What made it even better was that the ball landed in the lap of a fan who was kayaking in the Cove during the game. The ball landed directly in a kayak that was attended by a man, a woman, and their dog.
Bailey's home run marks the 103rd splash hit by a Giants player and the 165th in total, per analyst Steven Rissotto. It is unclear whether this is the first splash hit that did not touch the water.
Kayaking the Cove and getting a home run ball is on many fans' bucket lists. It is what makes Oracle Park stand out from the rest of the stadiums around the league.
"That's gotta count for extra runs" - one fan posted.
"I dont know if that's ever happened in the history of the ballpark" - posted another fan.
"The odds of that is crazy" - posted another.
Fans are in awe that the ball landed directly in the lap of the people in the kayak. The chances of that happening are incredibly small, and the kayakers may want to go grab a lottery ticket on their way home.
"If no splash hit, is it a splash hit? - said another fan.
I didn't see the splash, revoke the splash hit!' - said another fan.
"I'm so happy it landed in the one with the dog they featured earlier on. That's just great telly" - said another.
Fans are trying to decide if you can call this a splash hit, given it did not touch the water. Technically they would be right, but that would ruin all the fun.
Giants catcher Patrick Bailey is starting to find his rhythm
Giants catcher Patrick Bailey is starting to find his groove at the plate. He finished Saturday going 4-for-4 with three RBIs, leading to the 7-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bailey is now hitting .283/.352/.413 on the season.
Many eyes were on him as San Francisco was lucky enough to have Buster Posey for 12 years. Bailey has big shoes to fill, but he is doing his best, and fans do not have much to complain about.