Top 10 Bloopers from 2023: A Celebration of Athletes’ Human Moments

In 2023, the world witnessed some of the most incredible achievements in sports. However, amidst the celebrations of greatness, it’s essential to acknowledge the human side of our favorite athletes. This article presents a lighthearted look at the top 10 bloopers from 2023, showcasing the moments when our sports heroes became mortal.

Honorable Mention: Travis Kelce’s First Pitch

Kelce, the Chiefs tight end, had an incredible year, winning the Super Bowl and dating the most popular musician in the world. However, his first pitch at a Guardians game revealed that not everything goes perfectly for him.

10. Yankee Fans and the Squirrel

During a Yankees game, a city squirrel caused quite a stir among the fans. The reaction to the squirrel’s presence was so intense that it reminded us of the “When Animals Attack!” TV specials from the past.

9. Corbin Carroll Forgets to Count

Corbin Carroll, a rookie in 2023, had a fantastic year, hitting 25 home runs and stealing 54 bases. He even won the NL Rookie of the Year Award and made it to the World Series. However, he had a memorable lowlight when he forgot to count, allowing a run to score as he casually jogged back to grab his cap.

8. Kyle Isbel’s Double into the Monster

Playing left field in Boston is never easy, especially with the Green Monster. In this instance, Royals’ Kyle Isbel made the problem even more challenging by launching a ball straight into the Green Monster’s lights. The scoreboard operator’s attempt to help was both amusing and endearing.

7. Vladdy Guerrero’s Ups

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is known for his incredible skills on the field. However, during the All-Star Game, he showcased his unintentional comedic side when he accidentally threw an alley-oop to his American League teammate, leading to a blooper.

6. Enrique Hernández’s Throw Hits the Ump

Enrique Hernández had an incredible diving play, but his brain momentarily forgot what to do next. Instead of throwing the ball to the first baseman, he chose neither, resulting in a memorable blooper.

5. Luis Medina’s Confused Moment

Luis Medina experienced a moment of confusion when he made a great stab at a comebacker but forgot what to do next. His indecision led to a unique blooper that left fans amused.

4. Adolis García’s Cartwheel

Adolis García, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, had an impressive season, including helping the team win their first World Series title. However, his cartwheel in the batter’s box after being hit by a pitch during the Fall Classic became the moment that will likely be remembered the most.

3. Joey Lucchesi Throws to an Empty Base

Joey Lucchesi’s blooper involved throwing the ball to an empty base, leaving fans puzzled. It’s a moment that showcases the unpredictability of sports and the importance of staying focused.

2. Yan Gomes and the Unfortunate Perfecto

Drew Smyly was on track for a perfect game when Yan Gomes accidentally tackled the person fielding the ball. This bizarre moment broke the perfect game, and Fangraphs’ Davy Andrews even wrote a 13-stanza poem to commemorate the play.

1. Giants and Dodgers Team Up for Chaos

The game between the Giants and Dodgers in June provided one of the most memorable bloopers of the year. With the Giants leading, 7-5, Mookie Betts hit a popup on the infield. After third baseman Casey Schmitt lost track of the ball, it landed harmlessly in the infield. Pitcher Jakob Junis grabbed the ball and threw it into right field, leading to a chaotic scene on the field.

These bloopers serve as a reminder that even the most talented athletes can have moments of human error. They provide a lighthearted contrast to the usual “best of” lists and celebrate the imperfections that make sports so enjoyable.