With baseballs flying over the fence at a crazy rate Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, there really wasn't much of a need for outfielders to make spectacular catches. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies left the heroics to the fans in the bleachers, and one guy clearly rose to the challenge.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco completely pummeled a ball to left-center field for his second home run of the game to help his squad pull to within one run.
There was no way Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson was going to catch that ball unless he was strapped to a rocket, and we are all glad that wasn't the case because a man wearing the jersey of the late Roy Halladay leaned in a crowd of people and made a spectacular one-handed/backhand grab to get the souvenir.
Oh, and he did it all WHILE HOLDING A BABY.
The catch alone was rather impressive, but to see him turn around and holding an infant child is simply hilarious and deserved the standing ovation.
The reaction and celebration was great, too. The Phillies fan who caught the home run ball was in complete shock of completing such a tricky feat.
Additionally, a very underrated part is the lady sitting next to the dad and his kid made sure the man's arm was stable and not ready to drop the baby.
There were eight home runs during the game. Franco went deep twice, and Rhys Hoskins and Odubel Herrera each hit a home run for Phillies. Pederson, Max Muncy, Yasmani Grandal, and Chris Taylor all belted one for the Dodgers, who won the game 7-6.
The only thing that might have made this moment any better is if it were a walk-off home run, but this is in no way settling. This is amazing by itself and made for one final great moment in a wild MLB game in late July.
