Braves star Ozzie Albies first became interested in fish and fish tanks growing up in Curaçao — a Dutch Caribbean, baseball-loving paradise with some of the clearest waters and busiest reefs on Earth.
As soon as he settled into his own place in Marietta, Ga., and had signed a long-term contract with the Braves, Albies got to work getting his own tanks built around the house. It was a reminder of home 1,178 miles away.
Along with the koi fish pond, Albies has three tanks inside — measuring 550, 300 and 450 gallons. All fresh water. The biggest is 12-feet long, while the other two are eight feet. Of course, he also has a favorite fish.
“When I call him, he always comes to me,” Albies said. “You splash the water to give him the sign like, ‘Hey, I’m here.'”
When Dodgers fan Giuseppe Mancuso told Mookie Betts that he’d name his daughter after the Dodgers star if he homered in that at-bat, Betts laughed it off. Then he homered. And now he’s seen the birth certificate …
Randy Arozarena took a full-on tumble into the stands, and he got some help from a Giants fan who practically picked him up and lifted him back onto the field.
Not only did Tony Kemp make this daring sliding catch up against the wall, he also sprung to his feet and flashed a cannon arm to third to complete the double play.
Is it really a surprise that the team from Curaçao — which featured not one but two future big leaguers — won the 2004 Little League World Series? This is their story.
Start with the Pirates and Mets at 1 p.m. ET, then join a big matchup between the Rays and Giants at 4. Next, catch the Yankees in Atlanta to take on the Braves before joining Brewers-Dodgers at 10:30.
Today’s Trivia Question
Miguel Cabrera hit his 509th career HR to move into a tie with Gary Sheffield for 26th all-time. Which Hall of Famer is next up on the list?