Major League Baseball has decided to implement instant replay for the rest of the season for boundary calls, to basically make sure questionable home run calls are correct. In honor of this momentous occasion, let’s take a look at some bizarre stories through the history of the game that need to “distant” replay.
Kekich traded for Peterson with players to be named
One of the stranger stories to come out of the bigs is the story of Yankee pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson. During spring training in 1973, Kekich and Peterson announced that they had swapped families, which included their wives, children, and even the family dogs.
It all started when the close friends went on a double date and joked about wife swapping. In the end … the trade worked for the Peterson’s more than the Kekich’s. While Kekich and the former Mrs. Peterson didn’t last long, Fritz and the former Mrs. Kekich are still married and have four kids of their own (the players to be named in the trade). Confusing enough for you?
Beating the sausage
Everyone knows about the sausage races in Milwaukee and most people seem to enjoy them ... everyone except former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Randall Simon. On July 9th, 2003, Simon’s Pirates were in Milwaukee when during the seventh inning, as the sausages were passing, Simon took a half swing at the Italian sausage, hitting her from behind and knocking her over. In the process, Simon also knocked over the hot dog, which bled ketchup all over the field … not really. Simon was questioned by police, cited for disorderly conduct, and fined $432. The woman in the Italian sausage costume suffered some scrapes and bruises.
Alomar’s spitting mad
Roberto Alomar is one of the best second baseman of all-time. His judgement? Not so good.
In 1995, Alomar signed with the Baltimore Orioles after five seasons in Toronto. During a game in 1996, Alomar got into an argument with umpire John Hirschbeck that shifted to another level when Alomar spit in Hirschbeck’s face. Alomar did the classy thing after the game, not taking responsibility, but saying that Hirschbeck had made a racial slur and was just bitter about the death of his 8-year-old son. Go figure. Alomar ended up getting suspended for five games and donated $50,000 to research on the rare nerve disease that had killed Hirschbeck's son. The two are now good friends, with Alomar and his brother Sandy raising money for ALD research.
Bosetti marks his spot in the OF
Rick Bosetti is a relatively unknown outfielder who spent time with the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and A’s. In his 445 games, Bosetti hit .250 with 17 Hrs and 133 RBI. His real claim to fame? Bosetti alleges to have urinated in every outfield in the majors. Forget Manny running into the Green Monster ... Bosetti did it on the field and proclaims such from the mountain top. What a creative way to leave your mark on the game.
Ellis drops Padres
On June 12th, 1970, Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Dock Ellis pulled off a feat that only David Wells would come close to. Ellis no-hit the San Diego Padres while, he claimed, under the influence of LSD. Thinking it was an off-day, Ellis took the acid at noon and at 1pm, his girlfriend saw in the paper that he was scheduled to start that night. Ellis hopped a plane to San Diego and the rest is history.
Now make no mistake, throwing a no-hitter isn’t an easy task, but to do it with pink elephants running all over the outfield and pterodactyls flying overhead makes it even more impressive.
Boomer’s perfect game
Not to be out done, in 1998, pitcher David Wells threw a perfect game, in which he alleges to have been half drunk. The statement was made in Wells’ book, "Perfect I'm Not! Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches and Baseball," but later, Wells refuted the claim saying that he was just hung-over.
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