Home Run of the Day: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers (Trot Time: 22.53 seconds) [video]
Another late/extra-innings scoreless game ended on a walkoff home run. While this pitching matchup didn’t quite meet the Johan-vs-Yovani anti-slugfest from last week, the ending was just as exciting. Also, note the Dodgers’ subdued walkoff celebration. It’s a good start, though I still don’t see what would be wrong with having the umpire keep the bench players on the grass until after Kemp touches the plate.
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Slowest Trot: Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners – 24.36 seconds [video]
Not a bad day for home run trots when the slowest of the night clocks in at only 24.36 seconds. Other “slow” trots from around the league: Ryan Howard (23.37 seconds), Maicer Izturis (23.5 seconds), Jose Guillen (23.96 seconds), and Russell Branyan (23.98 seconds).
Quickest Trot: Curtis Granderson, New York Yankess – 17.75 seconds [video]
And while the lack of slow home runs doesn’t necessarily mean that we saw a bunch of quick homers, that is what we saw yesterday. There were six home run trots that timed in at 19.5 seconds or faster. Two of the three fastest belonged to Cincinnait’s Scott Rolen at 17.86 and 18.01 seconds (and they would have been quicker if Rolen didn’t have to stop and turn towards the third base dugout after reaching the plate). The quickest trot, though, belonged to the Yankees’ Curtis Granderson, who hit his first home run as a lefty this year and flew around the bases.
