If anybody tries to claim that baseball isn’t a contact sport, all you have to do is show them some Yusei Kikuchi tackling highlights. You’ll win that argument.
Among the many issues at the Oakland Athletics’ home field of Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum is that there is a preposterous amount of foul territory. So, you’ll actually find players hanging out at the edge of the dugout and bullpen in order to catch a glimpse of the action on the field.
Even with that in mind, though, I’m not exactly sure what Kikuchi was doing with Davis Schneider up in the 10th inning.
Yusei Kikuchi accidentally collided with Tyler Soderstrom and Davis Schneider is called out due to obstruction. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aybg9toPAF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 9, 2024
Schneider hit a pop up down the first base line into foul territory, and as Oakland’s Tyler Soderstrom tracked the ball for what should have been a routine catch, he was de-cleated by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi seemingly panicked when he saw the pop up heading in his direction. But rather than staying put in the bench area, he elected to run forward onto the field and accidentally collided with Soderstrom.
Schneider was called out on the play due to Kikuchi’s obstruction. But that didn’t stop MLB fans from making jokes about the tackle.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
1st baseman: *tries to make a catch*
Yusei Kikuchi: pic.twitter.com/d1Mxs5pHy0
— The Road Guy (@Road_Guy_Colin) June 9, 2024
And people want to fire the hitting coach? https://t.co/LX2jWrJXav
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) June 9, 2024
Get off the tracks when the train’s rolling through https://t.co/w2plu5iSaK
— Jack Carey (@TheJackCarey) June 9, 2024
"Yusei Kikuchi. Inside linebacker. Hanamaki Higashi High."https://t.co/yPFu0ImDPs
— Jonah Birenbaum (@birenball) June 9, 2024
I for one am a big fan of full body contact baseball.
Better learn to take a hit while catching a foul. https://t.co/uf0Aj1BaoO— Steven Clark (@TheFwordNB) June 9, 2024
Shoulder right into the numbers that's a clean tackle https://t.co/R9QfJfmNB1
— matt eitner (@mkeitner) June 9, 2024
Yusei Kikuchi taking absolutely no prisoners. 😤 pic.twitter.com/HbtnhDSleD
— Eric Treuden (@ETreuden) June 9, 2024
*Davis Schneider pops up*
**Tyler Soderstrom tries to make a play**
YUSEI KIKUCHI: pic.twitter.com/66zJLzreTu
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 9, 2024
Yusei Kikuchi is READY for the NFL season. pic.twitter.com/pWzMYneGhP
— BlueJays Muse (@BlueJays_Muse) June 9, 2024
Keep that head on a swivel when Yusei is around.
