# MLB - July 2026 ("Banana Ball" has its own thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 1, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330 "2026-07-01T12:43:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/1 "2026-07-01T12:43:29Z")
Starting the month with an embarrassing gaffe from last night… Rangers played at Cleveland last night. In the top of the seventh, they had a runner on second with one out and the score tied 2-2. Alejandro Osuna hit a routine fly ball to left. Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle, playing in just his fourth major league game, caught the ball and thought it was the third out. He began jogging toward the dugout and then casually tossed the ball into the stands. The runner on second was awarded home plate and the Rangers went on to win the game 4-2. Oops. [https://x.com/Rangers/status/2072112230871486649?ref\_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^2072112230871486649|twgr^7aa115534fdd36bfd58c83d2f84768a8d8e0cb48|twcon^s1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F7411373%2F2026%2F06%2F30%2Fguardians-rangers-cooper-ingle-outfield-mistake%2F](https://x.com/Rangers/status/2072112230871486649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2072112230871486649%7Ctwgr%5E7aa115534fdd36bfd58c83d2f84768a8d8e0cb48%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F7411373%2F2026%2F06%2F30%2Fguardians-rangers-cooper-ingle-outfield-mistake%2F) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/2 "2026-07-01T15:23:17Z")
The last time I remember a situation like that, it was Benny Agbayani making a similar gaffe while playing for the Mets. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/3 "2026-07-01T17:27:19Z")
Also, today is Bobby Bonilla Day. Each July 1, Bonilla receives a check from the Mets in the amount of $1,193,248.20. The payments started in 2011 and will continue through 2035. > **[What is Bobby Bonilla Day? Why Mets pay $1.19M every July 1](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49143746/bobby-bonilla-day-2026-new-york-mets-pay-million-every-july-1-deferred-money)** > > The former infielder hasn't played for the Mets since 1999, but Wednesday he'll receive his annual paycheck from his old team. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/4 "2026-07-01T20:35:03Z")
I am being forced to listen to the Red Sox radio broadcasting team, as the Nats game is blacked out here in Massachusetts. If there was ever a worse pair of giggling, inside-joke-telling buffoons, I have yet to experience them. Come on guys, laughing it up over Beavis and Butthead? ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/5 "2026-07-02T02:33:55Z")
Cubs beat the Padres 23-3. I had to check twice to make sure I hadn’t accidently clicked on a football (not futball) game. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/6 "2026-07-02T03:03:42Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Cubs beat the Padres 23-3. Eight home runs for the Cubs, three by Dansby Swanson. Wind was blowing out at Wrigley today. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/7 "2026-07-02T03:22:01Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Wind was blowing out at Wrigley today. Hurricane-force gales. Plus antigravity in the outfield. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/8 "2026-07-02T03:48:21Z")
But only when the Cubs were at bat, apparently ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/9 "2026-07-02T04:03:19Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Cubs beat the Padres 23-3. I had to check twice to make sure I hadn’t accidently clicked on a football (not futball) game. They actually noted during the game that the Bears, in their history, had one game that they won 23-3. It was during their 1986 season. And, speaking of Swanson, in his last 10 games, is hitting .366 with 15 hits, 8 home runs, 26 RBIs and 12 runs scored. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/10 "2026-07-02T14:11:54Z")
The man leading the majors in pitching wins is someone you have probably never heard of: Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby. Ashby notched his 12th win of the season against the Reds last night, giving him a record of 12-1. He is a middle reliever, and has regularly wound up as the pitcher of record when the Brewers take the lead, and/or when a starter doesn’t go five innings. He’s pitched in 40 of Milwaukee’s 84 games so far. ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/11 "2026-07-03T02:57:42Z")
Fly the W boys. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/12 "2026-07-04T16:56:08Z")
For one day. Then go out and lose 17-1. To the fucking Cardinals. I am so tired of hearing shit from my friend (who is a great guy except for his love for the most evil team in the National League). ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/13 "2026-07-04T17:40:32Z")
I checked in after the rain delay and it was something like 14-0…oof…. And yes it is always frustrating to lose to the Redbirds ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/14 "2026-07-04T17:47:31Z")
It never ceases to amaze me that the Nationals are staying over .500 with a young team and what may be the worst bullpen I’ve seen in my lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/15 "2026-07-04T17:56:09Z")
The Cubs groups on Facebook were absolutely apoplectic yesterday. There were calls for Counsell to be fired, and the majority of the team to either be DFA’d, traded, or sent down to AAA. I’ve never seen a bigger group of fair-weather fans. It’s nauseating. Of course, there were also people who were bitching during the 23-run game that “X player should have challenged that call. He doesn’t have his head in the game. Bench him.” I’m a long-suffering Cubs fan. Been hooked since 1984, and I’ve seen a lot of bad teams. This isn’t a bad team, even though they have had team-wide slumps. It doesn’t help when the majority of your starting rotation is injured. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/16 "2026-07-04T19:07:40Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > the most evil team in the National League That would be the Dodgers. And it’s not close. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/17 "2026-07-04T19:35:05Z")
Not for a Cubs fan! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/18 "2026-07-04T21:17:02Z")
pride goeth before the fall ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/19 "2026-07-04T21:22:31Z")
Go, Blue! 😘 ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/20 "2026-07-05T03:04:55Z")
Cardinals and Cubs playing in almost impenetrable fog. ABS system didn’t work for a Cards challenge because the cameras can’t see anything. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330.md?page=2)