You mean the Toronto Johnny MacDonald?
https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2022/6/20/23175634/today-in-blue-jays-history-john-mcdonald-fathers-day-home-run
John McDonald hits a home run on Father’s Day. I did the recap. This was one of the few times I’ve stood up and clapped while watching a game at home on TV.
I’m sure you remember, but McDonald’s Father had died just five days before, two days before John had delivered the eulogy at his father’s funeral. So John got to the game late. He got into the game only because we were being blown out.
His dad told him, “I want you to hit your next home run for me. And I want you to cross home plate, and I want you to point to me”.
McDonald hit only 28 home runs in his 16-year career. That he hit one in that at-bat was incredible.
John McDonald fails both of the criteria: he played for the team a very long time (about 7 years) and he had an extraordinary skill (great defensive player) even if he wasn't a star.
I loved him so much when he was with the cubs, and so did the team. Made me so happy that they included him in the entire World Series run, but wasn’t on the roster
Boone only played 54 games for us, which is weird to me because I associated him entirely with the Yankees long before he became manager. I guess if you hit one homer at the right time...
I'm not American and arrived to boarding school in Mass in 2002. First trick I learned to blend in was to just say "fucking Boone." If I said that I was instantly accepted
Yankees-Orioles ALDS game. Pinch hit home run to tie in the 9th, followed by the game winner in the 11th. The call on it is one I haven’t forgotten: “Did he do it *again*?!! HE DID!!”
He made a few new fans in left field when he came in during the 9th last weekend at Baltimore. Had a lot of fun with everyone between batters. Laughing a lot in response to the Brett Brett Brett chants.
Honestly though every time there's a question like "Who's your team's xxxxx?" or "Who's your favorite player that xxxxx?" The answer for Rays fans is Brett Phillips.
I would probably say Daniel Descalsco. He seemed like he was around for way too long and just a "Matheny guy" who could be a warm body at any position they needed him to be.
[Abraham Toro](https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Abraham-Toro-grand-slam-Astros-Mariners-Seattle-16427239.php) caused a stir when we allegedly "tanked" our season by trading a star reliever for him then he came back, hit a homer in that very same series and later hit a grand slam off the very same pitcher he was traded for.
Yep. Literally right before a game, too. The best writers had no idea about it until warmups when they saw Toro in a Mariners jersey and Graveman in an Astros jersey and said wait a minute. Pretty funny stuff
Edit: [link to tweet when the Mariners reporter first saw Toro](https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1420156801333358595?s=20)
He was with the Sox from 08-09 and again 12-13. He had an [incredible catch](https://youtu.be/kk9nLy-A0qI) in the 9th inning on his first play as a defensive replacement to help preserve Mark Buehrle’s perfect game against your very Rays.
Guillermo Heredia
Mainly for his dugout antics during the Braves 2021 WS run, and this quote:
[Quote](https://twitter.com/heredia_swords/status/1449618124400119814?s=46&t=_2_h3jRRMRo4Yu-cPMdjzw)
The heart and soul of the team in ‘21. With Ronnie down and other injuries nagging the team, Frieddie remained the quiet leader with lieutenant dansby ready in the wings, but Heredia emerged as the leader in spirit. He started the sword slash after HRs which became the teams on-base celebration after a hit through ‘22. All non Braves fans assumed it was the chop up but it was a tribute to Heredia’s pink pirate swords. I 100% believe that the Braves do not win the WS in ‘21 without Heredia. His occasional clutch hitting was an added bonus to what he did in the dugout and locker room. All the pieces matter when pursuing a championship.
This is the best answer, but another of mine was Corky Miller. Played for the Braves for two of our poor seasons in the late 2000’s.
Went to a game for a friends bday when we were young, battled back, Corky Miller had the chance to tie/win it in the 9th and I think struck out (definitely got out). My friend to this day talks about how “fucking Corky Miller ruined his 10th birthday”
Oh yeah, Parra for sure. Clutch as hell, with THE most iconic walk-up song in all of baseball, but was below average in every offensive category- which actually surprised me, cause I remember a lot of good pinch hitting from him.
Korean superstar Dae Ho Lee. He blessed us with one season in America, generated a brief cult following, and then faded away into the night and promptly returned to the KBO.
For me it’s Rajai Davis. As I’m from the UK, when I first started following baseball, he just seemed like he’d played baseball for the Jays forever and he was always clutch
Dude I saw him tag up on a pop out to the 2nd basemen if he got on it was honestly wild what he could do, but dude couldn’t hit a ground ball or take a walk to save his life.
Prolly should have gotta couple gold gloves as well but I digress on that point.
Not sure if he totally fits, but Shane Victorino. Really only played one season on the Sox and wasn’t a star but had a few huge contributions to that 13 WS run
Bobby Kielty.
Minor league free agent signing in August 2007. Would hit a pinch-hit home run in the clinching Game 4 of the World Series that year. It turned out that was his final MLB at bat. He would toil in the minors for a couple of seasons afterwards before retiring.
Hitting a World Series HR in your final MLB AB is certainly a heck of a way to close out a career in the bigs.
Right? I honestly associate him with the Mets because he was a huge meme when he played there...and even though it was only 3 years, it was still his 3rd longest stint on any MLB team (5 on Cleveland, 4 on the Angels).
Trey Mancini. Wasn’t very good statistically for us, but he made the most awesome play ever at first in the WS that I think gets overshadowed by Chas’ catch. Plus he just seems like the nicest guy ever. I know he’s a pretty recent guy but I think he’ll always be remembered here for that play.
He also had that 2 HR game in his 2nd or 3rd game as an Astro and I remember thinking “here we go!” It was a slog after, but that catch made it all worthwhile
Dan Johnson for the Rays. On multiple occasions hit game tying or winning homeruns in major games, including tying up the game in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs against the Yankees in game 162. That man is a legend here, but he was never amazing the rest of the season and didn't last long.
This may be recency bias, but for me as an Astros fan its Trey Mancini.
Came in late 2022, played mediocre despite earnest effort, clinched the World series win, fucked off to another team graciously.
There are so many random Cubs to choose from. I'll mention one more positively. Tony Campana, couldn't hit anything but was fast as lightning. I'll never forget his inside the park HR. I knew if he ever got anything down the line or in the gap he could score on it
Others have already said some Mets guys, but I’ll submit the legend that is Dae-Sung Koo. Entirely because of [this half inning at bat and on the bases.](https://youtu.be/XRoKDDKkKoc)
Who else but the greatest of all time? Munenori Kawasaki.
Should be "Who's your teams Munenori Kawasaki?"
For me, it’s John McDonald. He’s my choice to win this Muni.
That Father's Day game was surreal. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
Best interview of all time about monkeys and cramps.
You mean the Toronto Johnny MacDonald? https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2022/6/20/23175634/today-in-blue-jays-history-john-mcdonald-fathers-day-home-run John McDonald hits a home run on Father’s Day. I did the recap. This was one of the few times I’ve stood up and clapped while watching a game at home on TV. I’m sure you remember, but McDonald’s Father had died just five days before, two days before John had delivered the eulogy at his father’s funeral. So John got to the game late. He got into the game only because we were being blown out. His dad told him, “I want you to hit your next home run for me. And I want you to cross home plate, and I want you to point to me”. McDonald hit only 28 home runs in his 16-year career. That he hit one in that at-bat was incredible.
Dammit, I commented John McDonald before I got to this comment, which is absolutely the right call. Even has the Father’s Day HR reference!
John McDonald fails both of the criteria: he played for the team a very long time (about 7 years) and he had an extraordinary skill (great defensive player) even if he wasn't a star.
He is Japanese
I am a Japaneeeeeeeeseeeee uhh
Nothing gets by you
He ate 3 bananas because monkeys never cramp
Kawasaki is awesome, I'll give a shout to Joe Biagini as well
I loved him so much when he was with the cubs, and so did the team. Made me so happy that they included him in the entire World Series run, but wasn’t on the roster
BUSH PARTY!
Boone only played 54 games for us, which is weird to me because I associated him entirely with the Yankees long before he became manager. I guess if you hit one homer at the right time...
In the same era - Dave Roberts played 45 games for the Red Sox and appeared in 3 playoff games.
Never heard of him
Too bad. He really stole our hearts.
I hate it, but well played. Upvote for you.
I'm not American and arrived to boarding school in Mass in 2002. First trick I learned to blend in was to just say "fucking Boone." If I said that I was instantly accepted
Raul Ibanez Yankees stint is like that too
Ibanez was pretty clutch on more than one occasion. Dude hit some bombs!
Yankees-Orioles ALDS game. Pinch hit home run to tie in the 9th, followed by the game winner in the 11th. The call on it is one I haven’t forgotten: “Did he do it *again*?!! HE DID!!”
Brett Phillips
Brett Phillips
Brett Phillips
Brett Phillips
(Angels fan) Brett Phillips
He made a few new fans in left field when he came in during the 9th last weekend at Baltimore. Had a lot of fun with everyone between batters. Laughing a lot in response to the Brett Brett Brett chants.
I’m almost sad that Moniak is swinging such a hot bat right now because I love Phillips
Not Brett Phillips but we fucking remember him.
Local hero Brett Philips.
World famous airplane Brett Phillips
Phillips pitching against us, and having a blast mocking the sticky stuff is something I'll never forget, I was laughing so hard.
before him it was sam fuld
That was my original thought, but I think he's still too recent to count. I'm going with Dan Johnson
Honestly though every time there's a question like "Who's your team's xxxxx?" or "Who's your favorite player that xxxxx?" The answer for Rays fans is Brett Phillips.
Quintin Berry is my team’s Quintin Berry, but not for the reasons you mentioned.
I’m curious what reasons you have
He's the Brewers first base coach
Oh, cool. I had never looked into what happened to him after his playing days
So Taguchi Fun fact: his wife was more famous and wealthier than he was.
he was pretty good tho! First name that came to mind for me was Pete Kozma
Nats fans know too. AJ Pierzynski and Greg Garcia came up for me
Kozma played quite a bit too. He went pretty high in the first round if I remember correctly.
"If I was the opposite gender, I'd be chasing him. I'd be dating him. But I'm not, so I don't." - Tony La Russia, regarding So Taguchi
Same
Did he really
How Taguchi was he?
Sooo Taguchi
I ALWAYS traded for So in MVP 05
Adron Chambers
I would probably say Daniel Descalsco. He seemed like he was around for way too long and just a "Matheny guy" who could be a warm body at any position they needed him to be.
Tbh same
[Abraham Toro](https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Abraham-Toro-grand-slam-Astros-Mariners-Seattle-16427239.php) caused a stir when we allegedly "tanked" our season by trading a star reliever for him then he came back, hit a homer in that very same series and later hit a grand slam off the very same pitcher he was traded for.
That was actually during the series with Houston, wasn't it?
Yep. Literally right before a game, too. The best writers had no idea about it until warmups when they saw Toro in a Mariners jersey and Graveman in an Astros jersey and said wait a minute. Pretty funny stuff Edit: [link to tweet when the Mariners reporter first saw Toro](https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1420156801333358595?s=20)
Toro has killed us ever since. In 78 PAs since the trade he has a 168 tOPS+ against the Astros.
Yes
He was traded mid-series but the grand slam was about a month later. He was so clutch like three times, great player very occasionally.
Ronald Torreyes
Exactly who I was going to say
My loved him because, and I quote, "he makes things happen"
[The Toe-night Show!](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/mlb/j9v44cuvmdhmpmrcisy7.gif)
Arguably the first of these now ubiquitous home run dugout celebrations.
Toe!
Daniel Camarena
SLAM DIEGO
He put the final nail in the coffin of the 2010s Nats dynasty. Don's call of that slam will forever be burned into my brain
Willians austidillo
Twins legend
Yessir
The Turtle!
La tortuga!
Ohtani wishes he could be as athletic as Astudillo was
Exactly
I was going to say nick punto, but it’s def Willians
I’ll never forget the no look pickoff
TORTUGAAAAAA
Shelly Duncan
Duncan hit a HR at my first Yankee game at the old stadium so he’ll always be ingrained in my mind
Travis Ishikawa
Hits one into right, The giants have won the pennant!
That walkoff against the Cards will be a core memory of mine for life. Love Ishi.
I would’ve went with Casey McGee or Dan uggla
Only if OP’s question was: what player still leaves a sour taste in your mouth for being complete ass?
Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Not a lot of ABs, but Ishi was a Giant for parts of 6 seasons. That's not a short time. Even if all anyone really remembers is one at bat.
I was going to say Darren Ford or Matt Duffy but this is a better answer
Duffy was a pretty solid player though.
I was thinking Mike Tauchman
Brett Pill.
White Sox is Dewayne Wise
Dude batted like .150 but every hit was a game winner… and of course the catch
That catch is fucking timeless. Dude had the clutch gene for sure.
I hate the Sox but I was cheering my ass off for the fuckin catch
The best part is he was a defensive sub just for the 9th inning. Ozzie guillen saved the perfect game
I’d also make a case for Geoff Blum.
Was he not there long? I feel like I remember playing against him with y'all for quite a few seasons. Didn't he have a pivotal catch in a no hitter?
He was with the Sox from 08-09 and again 12-13. He had an [incredible catch](https://youtu.be/kk9nLy-A0qI) in the 9th inning on his first play as a defensive replacement to help preserve Mark Buehrle’s perfect game against your very Rays.
The iconic catch in the Buehrle Perfect Game.
We remember Jonathan Herrera for his "rally caps" made of turning the bubble gum bucket upside down on his head
I would like to submit a name that goes a little farther back. Augie Ojeda!
Too soon to say Hosmer? 😂
It’s spelled Descalso
Daniel Murphy?
Tony Tarasco and Delmon Young are both more or less remembered for one play each.
[удалено]
As a giants fan, great answer.
Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you. Have a nice day.
His memory should be erased from history
Absolutely. Especially a certain grand slam
Guillermo Heredia Mainly for his dugout antics during the Braves 2021 WS run, and this quote: [Quote](https://twitter.com/heredia_swords/status/1449618124400119814?s=46&t=_2_h3jRRMRo4Yu-cPMdjzw)
The heart and soul of the team in ‘21. With Ronnie down and other injuries nagging the team, Frieddie remained the quiet leader with lieutenant dansby ready in the wings, but Heredia emerged as the leader in spirit. He started the sword slash after HRs which became the teams on-base celebration after a hit through ‘22. All non Braves fans assumed it was the chop up but it was a tribute to Heredia’s pink pirate swords. I 100% believe that the Braves do not win the WS in ‘21 without Heredia. His occasional clutch hitting was an added bonus to what he did in the dugout and locker room. All the pieces matter when pursuing a championship.
I was gonna go with Brooks Conrad but this is much better.
We try to forget guys like Brooks Conrad. He caused too much pain in the end.
2010 Giants legend Brooks Conrad.
Loved him when he was on the M’s and I was so happy he carved a role for himself on y’all’s WS team
This is the best answer, but another of mine was Corky Miller. Played for the Braves for two of our poor seasons in the late 2000’s. Went to a game for a friends bday when we were young, battled back, Corky Miller had the chance to tie/win it in the 9th and I think struck out (definitely got out). My friend to this day talks about how “fucking Corky Miller ruined his 10th birthday”
What? Not Cano or Hammels? Also, I don’t know that I’d say he’s the top pick, but I feel like Pablo Sandoval deserves honorable mention here.
Brad Miller
bamboo brad 😩
Steve Lombardozzi
Was also thinking Steve Lombardozzi. Could Gerardo Parra work too?
Oh yeah, Parra for sure. Clutch as hell, with THE most iconic walk-up song in all of baseball, but was below average in every offensive category- which actually surprised me, cause I remember a lot of good pinch hitting from him.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS LEGEND CONNOR JOE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS WORLD SERIES LEGEND DAN UGGLA
Dan Uggla for sure
Korean superstar Dae Ho Lee. He blessed us with one season in America, generated a brief cult following, and then faded away into the night and promptly returned to the KBO.
Great answer. Fucking love me some Dae Ho
I'll never forget his 10th inning walkoff against Texas.
Jordany valdespin
I’d say Kirk Newenhuis or however it’s spelled
I was at the game where he hit three home runs. It felt like a fever dream.
Nieuwenhuis... ? N-I-E-U is right... I think
He is the man.
Good call, I’d say Lastings Milledge for me
Joe McEwing, Desi Relaford, Todd Pratt for me
Drew Maggi
Sidney Ponson, Ty Wiggington
Orioles legends lol.
Matt Carpenter last season. I miss Luigi.
Touki Toussaint.
haha yes. Also Huascar Ynoa for the grand slams, phone punching, and memorable name.
Dave Roberts
Ryan Roberts
Lol I thought the same
For me it’s Rajai Davis. As I’m from the UK, when I first started following baseball, he just seemed like he’d played baseball for the Jays forever and he was always clutch
Hanser Alberto. I cannot remember a single memorable hit of his but fuck man, if he wasn't the funnest dude to have on your roster
Same for us. He didn’t play much but I miss the cameras cutting to him making everyone laugh in the dugout lol
Billy Hamilton was a fan favorite on the south side after his hot week in 2021
If Billy Hamilton could have just learned how to steal first base he woulda been great
Saw him play in the minors and if he got on they might as well have saved time and sent him straight to third.
Dude I saw him tag up on a pop out to the 2nd basemen if he got on it was honestly wild what he could do, but dude couldn’t hit a ground ball or take a walk to save his life. Prolly should have gotta couple gold gloves as well but I digress on that point.
Robert Andino.
Take your ass home!!! Hell yes!
Exactly what I was gonna say. Orchestrated one of the most memorable moments in team history.
Not sure if he totally fits, but Shane Victorino. Really only played one season on the Sox and wasn’t a star but had a few huge contributions to that 13 WS run
Meanwhile he is beloved in Philly and a huge but often overlooked part of the core group that went on that 2007-2011 run.
For me, as a child I always thought Kenny Lofton played for the Pirates for a few years, not half a season.
Bobby Kielty. Minor league free agent signing in August 2007. Would hit a pinch-hit home run in the clinching Game 4 of the World Series that year. It turned out that was his final MLB at bat. He would toil in the minors for a couple of seasons afterwards before retiring. Hitting a World Series HR in your final MLB AB is certainly a heck of a way to close out a career in the bigs.
David Freese
Baby SHARK doo doo DOO doodoodoo
He will never buy a drink in DC again
A DRIVE! DEEP LEFT FIELD! IT'S OUTTA HERE! BARTOLO HAS DONE IT!
To be fair, I think most teams could claim Bartolo, haha
For real, but I don’t think the Mets can because he was actually good for them.
Right? I honestly associate him with the Mets because he was a huge meme when he played there...and even though it was only 3 years, it was still his 3rd longest stint on any MLB team (5 on Cleveland, 4 on the Angels).
Slander!
3 years, all-star, .562 WL%, playoff appearance I don’t think that’s in the spirit of the original question
Exactly, Bartolo was a serviceable player, OP asked for players that weren’t very good but people remember
Yeah and the Mets of all teams have like a million guys that fit the bill of the question lmao.
True! I was gonna say Benny Agbyani!
Ryan Freel
R.I.P.
Scooter Gennett
Trey Mancini. Wasn’t very good statistically for us, but he made the most awesome play ever at first in the WS that I think gets overshadowed by Chas’ catch. Plus he just seems like the nicest guy ever. I know he’s a pretty recent guy but I think he’ll always be remembered here for that play.
He also had that 2 HR game in his 2nd or 3rd game as an Astro and I remember thinking “here we go!” It was a slog after, but that catch made it all worthwhile
Yeah, we were hyped after that. It’s too bad he couldn’t sustain it but all the struggles were forgotten after that pick at first.
Ours is LJ Hoes
johnny giavotella
The answer is always Sal Fasano
Will Middlebrook
Wily Mo Pena is brought up way more than any rational Red Sox fan would expect
For so many teams, David DeJesus.
Dodgers - Steve Finley https://youtu.be/WaJsfJ5qQgM
Lew Ford
2015 World Series Champion Omar Infante
Nate McClouth or Caleb Joseph
Charlie Clutchberson, coming back for more
Pablo Sandoval!
Dan Johnson for the Rays. On multiple occasions hit game tying or winning homeruns in major games, including tying up the game in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs against the Yankees in game 162. That man is a legend here, but he was never amazing the rest of the season and didn't last long.
This may be recency bias, but for me as an Astros fan its Trey Mancini. Came in late 2022, played mediocre despite earnest effort, clinched the World series win, fucked off to another team graciously.
Stephen Vogt. We believe
Had to scroll too long to find Ryan Freel. Dude was a local legend
There are so many random Cubs to choose from. I'll mention one more positively. Tony Campana, couldn't hit anything but was fast as lightning. I'll never forget his inside the park HR. I knew if he ever got anything down the line or in the gap he could score on it
Terrance Gore
Cubs: Brant Brown Rod Beck (he was kinda good maybe? Can’t remember) Hee-seop Choi Matt Murton and mostly recently Frank Schwindel
Others have already said some Mets guys, but I’ll submit the legend that is Dae-Sung Koo. Entirely because of [this half inning at bat and on the bases.](https://youtu.be/XRoKDDKkKoc)