DETROIT - The Orioles found themselves in an unusual kind of fielding drill Monday night at Comerica Park: squirrel defense.
A stray squirrel tore through the outfield during the seventh inning of Baltimore’s win over the Tigers, sending dozens of grounds crew members into a long chase. Leody Taveras made a go of helping out, and for a brief moment it looked like he might actually end the whole thing.
The squirrel ran right at him, Taveras dropped his glove like he was sliding into an emergency infield assignment, and then the critter leaped. Taveras caught it by accident near the heel of the glove, lifted it up and flipped it over.
The squirrel kept going, unharmed, for another minute before a grounds crew member finally got a towel over it, grabbed it and ran off the field. A Tigers spokesperson said the squirrel was in good health and was released outside the stadium.
Back in the clubhouse after the win, Orioles players were cracking up while watching the MLB Network replay of Taveras’ attempt. That led to a simple question with a very strange premise: who on this team would actually be best in a one-on-one squirrel showdown?
Gunnar Henderson emerged as the clear favorite, with Shane Baz also getting support.
Manager Craig Albernaz went straight to Henderson.
“Oh, yeah. I’m going Gunnar.
Gunnar. He’s fast, quick on his feet, agile.
You know, raised in Alabama. I’m sure he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.
“I’ll take it a step further. If we’re going anyone on our team, coaching staff included, it’s Joe Singley.
The dude used to hunt pythons in Miami and wrangle snakes. So, I trust him to get a squirrel.
That’s a fact, by the way.”
Colton Cowser backed himself first, then landed on Henderson.
“I feel like I could’ve gotten the job done, but if we’re going to be straight up, probably Gunnar. Probably Gunnar. He knows how to track them.”
Jackson Holliday also gave Taveras credit for the effort before making his pick.
“I mean, I thought Leody put in a good effort last night. I think Gunnar.
Gunnar’s got giant paws, so he’s probably a good one. I’d love to watch [Dylan] Beavers try to catch one.
But probably Gunnar. Cowser would probably end up getting bitten by it, but he’d get it done.”
Henderson, for his part, did not hesitate to vote for himself.
“I mean, I’m just trying to think who I think would remotely have a chance. I feel like Shane [Baz] would be good at it, but I’m going to choose myself.
I can figure it out. I can definitely figure it out, I feel like, a lot better than some guys.
I feel like he [Baz] would probably be a good second choice.”
Baz was just as confident.
“It’s me. Easily.
I’ve got experience with wildlife. Just a lot of hunting and fishing, and grew up on land where there were snakes and raccoons and squirrels and you name it.
Bobcats. I think I’m catching it first, 100%.
And I’m not scared to touch it.”
Brandon Young went in a different direction before changing his mind.
“Shane Baz. Actually, I take that back.
Since he said himself, I’m going to take that back. Pete Alonso.”
Rico Garcia gave Taveras another shot after the night’s memorable attempt.
“Uhhh, I’ll give it to Leo [Leody Taveras]. I’m giving him a second chance. I think Leo.”
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