Stanton's boyhood dream realized with titanic homer at Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES -- Giancarlo Stanton isn't your typical 25-year-old. He stands at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, plays Major League Baseball and signed the richest contract in North American sports history.
Turns out he wasn't the typical 8-year-old, either.
A little more than 24 hours after becoming just the fourth player in history to hit a homer out of Dodger Stadium, Stanton provided an interesting tidbit following the Miami Marlins' 5-4 victory Wednesday night.
"When I was young, that's actually what I wanted to do," Stanton admitted. "Whatever reason that was. It wasn't necessarily hit a home run. I wanted to hit it out. Not your average 8-year-old says he can do that."
Stanton, who grew up visiting Dodger Stadium as a kid from Panorama City, Calif., joined Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire and Willie Stargell as the only guys to achieve the rare feat. His mammoth first-inning blast off righty Mike Bolsinger bounced off the back of the canopy in the left-field pavilion approximately 475 feet from home plate.
Fans who booed him as he stepped to the plate suddenly stood to cheer him as he rounded the bases. That's how impressive it was. He turned on an 85 mph cutter, making it look like a batting practice pitch.
That distance, provided by MLB.com's Statcast, would count as the third longest of his 162 career dingers, according to ESPN's Home Run Tracker.
McGwire, the Dodgers batting coach, watched Stanton's long ball in awe from the home dugout. It brought flashbacks of his blast in 1999.
"Those are the two players (who) hit one when I was able to watch, so they're the reason why I've always wanted to do that," Stanton said.
As for the overwhelming response on social media and the like? For one, the photo Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson posted on Instagram was taken in the past, according to Stanton.
Everyone from Piazza to the Dodgers chimed in.
Loved watching @Giancarlo818 bomb last night. Brought back memories, looked like similar pitch I hit, tough to drive fast ball That high.
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) May 13, 2015
Just smile and wave, smile and wave. pic.twitter.com/OkZV9AoSiX
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) May 13, 2015
Where do we send invoice for roof repair, @Marlins? https://t.co/L2GjZ6we4X
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 13, 2015
Turns out Stanton hasn't kept up. In terms of his jaw-dropping homers, Tuesday's eclipsed his upper-decker swing at last year's Home Run Derby at Target Field. This one counted in a game, despite the 11-1 outcome.
"I haven't had a chance to be honest," Stanton said. "Kind of had a quick night to get ready for (Wednesday). I'll have the offday (Thursday) to recheck all that."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
