In Thursday night’s A’s and White Sox matchup on Chicago’s South Side, a fan made an unforgettable catch that’s capturing attention.
As Brent Rooker from Oakland launched a powerful shot to the left-center in the sixth inning, spectators at Guaranteed Rate Field prepared for the anticipated catch. Amidst them, a fan wearing a Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn jersey was perfectly poised for the moment.
Yes, Chef. He’s Rooking 🧑🍳 pic.twitter.com/Bmy8PwiOBv
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) August 25, 2023
Here’s what made the catch extraordinary: The fan had his left hand occupied with food and no glove on his right. With a combination of skill and spontaneity, he caught the ball barehanded. Notably, this wasn’t any ordinary hit; Statcast registered Rooker’s shot at a whopping 103.8 mph exit velocity.
The fan didn’t just stop there. To secure the baseball, he had to stretch his right hand across his body, making the catch even more remarkable. And in a feat worthy of a standing ovation, he managed to preserve his snack, not spilling a drop.
A salute to this extraordinary fan for adding a memorable moment to the A’s-White Sox face-off. Well done!