Ichiro makes MLB pitching debut against Phillies (VIDEO)

After pleading with his managers in Seattle and New York over the past 15 years, Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki got to do something that he's always dreamed of — the 41-year-old outfielder finally got to pitch.

With the Marlins trailing the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday, Miami manager Dan Jennings brought Ichiro in from right field to pitch in the final game of the season.

THAT. JUST. HAPPENED. #Ichiro pic.twitter.com/uhQSZu5tJs

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 4, 2015

And, as the Phillies found out, the one-time high school hurler's change-up is no joke. His first pitch was clocked at 86 mph.

Ichiro (!!!) pitched the final defensive half-inning of the @Marlins 2015 season: http://t.co/thEB4rX4uC pic.twitter.com/cRanOKgzNy

— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 5, 2015

Ichiro allowed a leadoff double to Phillies pinch hitter Odubel Herrera before recording his first out, a flyout for catcher Cameron Rupp. The next batter, pinch hitter Darnell Sweeney, doubled to right field to drive in Herrera. Ichiro would, however, get the next two batters out.

The 10-time All-Star did allow one earned run on two hits (no strikeouts or walks) in his MLB pitching debut — but you can bet that 9.00 ERA won't keep Ichiro out of the Hall of Fame.

Andrew McCutchen gets first inside-the-park home run in amazing time (VIDEO)

Andrew McCutchen is known as one of the fastest players in baseball, so it comes as a big surprise to find out that the reigning National League MVP's inside-the-park home run Wednesday night was the first of his major league career.

And, as he rounded the bases in a blistering time of 15.44 seconds, there was no doubt he has the legs.

McCutchen's race around the bases must have looked like this to the Phillies players:

McCutchen said he knew he had an inside-the-park homer when the ball first struck the wall.

"It's brick, so anything coming that hard is going to come off it and go that way," he said. "I knew when it hit the wall that I had a good chance."

One question. What took so long?

Ryan Howard's Florida mansion will include $80,000 in doorknobs: Report

The doors for Ryan Howard's departure from Philadelphia had been opening and closing pretty quickly leading up the the trade deadline last week and most parties said the Phillies first baseman's price tag was just a little too expensive.

And it apparently takes the same amount of extravagance to open the doors inside Howard's new Florida mansion as well.

Details of the $5.8 million house, which is located near the team's spring training facility in Clearwater and will be completed in 2015, were recently revealed — and it includes $80,000 worth of doorknobs.

Here's the story on the former All-Star's new beachfront house, via the Tampa Bay Times.

The first baseman's new digs — being built on the gulf 10 miles south of the Phillies' Clearwater spring training complex — will (have) eight bedrooms, at least 10 baths, a two-story library, a trophy room, two kitchens, three laundry rooms, two elevators, a wine room and a bowling alley. Doorknobs for the beige home with its terra-cotta roof, one the largest homes in the bay area, will cost $80,000 alone, the Tampa Bay Times reported in 2012.

But perhaps the coolest feature? A swimming pool complete with an underwater treadmill and lazy river that floats under the mansion.

Ryan Howard may be struggling on the field lately- but not in his wallet.. check out his #Belleaire #mansion pic.twitter.com/WlxYGbPrhW
— Rich Motivation (@RichMotovation) July 23, 2014

Howard, who will have earned $180 million by the time his contract expires, is getting close to closing the door on a great career.

New rule allowed Ryan Howard to score without touching home plate (VIDEO)

Major League Baseball's new rules on home-plate collisions and instant replay allowed Philadelphia's Ryan Howard to pull off a curious play. He scored a run without even touching home plate.

Standing on first base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Howard started running to second when Phillies batter Marlon Byrd hit a pop fly to shallow right field. It should have been an routine out to end the inning, but Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Didi Gregious dropped the ball. With the score tied at 2-2, Howard rounded third base and tried to give Philadelphia the lead. Diamondbacks center fielder Ender Inciarte fielded the ball and threw a laser to catcher Miguel Montero. The throw clearly beat the slow-moving Howard, who tried to step around Montero but was easily tagged out.

But the Phillies began to argue that Montero was illegally blocking the plate. Part of experimental rule 7.13 says, via MLB.com: "The catcher may not block the pathway of a runner attempting to score unless he has possession of the ball. If the catcher blocks the runner before he has the ball, the umpire may call the runner safe."

The umpires reviewed the play and reversed the call. Howard was ruled safe at home, giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead.

Although a reviewed play cannot be challenged, D-Backs manager Kirk Gibson still came out to argue the call to no avail.

Philadelphia went on to win 4-2.

Phillie Phanatic nails pig mascot with hot dog cannon (VIDEO)

On Dollar Dog Night at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillie Phanatic uses a hot dog cannon to take down a pig mascot.

Who knows why the Phanatic showed no mercy towards the pink porcine visitor, but I would avoid the pork rolls on Wednesday.

Swarms of moths invade Busch Stadium (VIDEO)

Cleveland is famous for its midges, just about about every city has its bees but now St. Louis has their own version of a bugout — moths.

Gigantic swarms of the flying pests descended upon the Phillies and Cardinals game Friday night following a 50-minute rain delay as dusk turned to night.

Here's how the St. Louis Post-Dispatch described the invasion:

After about a six-inning grace period following a 50-minute weather delay, swarms of plague-like proportions filled Busch Stadium. They flew in a frenzy around the nosebleed lights, swapped sweat with Phillies starter A.J. Burnett and — although this may have been the result of another woeful Cardinals performance at the plate — sent fans scampering from their seats.

I saw Yadier Molina quoted as saying tonight's moths were the worst ever for him. It was bad. #stlcards pic.twitter.com/HH0ASTmgZl
— Alex Heuer (@alexheuer) June 21, 2014

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said moths were getting into his mask.

“It was as bad as I’ve ever had to play with with moths. It was bad.”

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said he was more affected in the field than at the plate.

“On a ground ball,” he said, “you've just got to hope one doesn’t get you in the face.”

No wonder they showed up. The Phillies continue to keep their bats out of mothballs and beat the Cards, 5-1, for their fifth straight victory

Mets' Matt den Dekker robs home run, throws out runner and eats in outfield (VIDEO)

Mets outfielder Matt den Dekker robbed Ryan Howard of a homer in the second inning then, one inning later, threw out Reid Brignac at the plate all before refueling with a mouthful of snacks at CenturyLink Field Monday night.

The long-haired Mets player — with probably the best Twitter handle in baseball — @UpperDekker — made the two memorable defensive and single digestive plays during his first start of the season against the Phillies.

What can't he do.

Mitch 'Wild Thing' Williams tossed from youth baseball game for calling umpire a motherf***** (REPORT)

MLB Network analyst Mitch Williams was tossed from a youth baseball game for profanely berating an umpire in front of horrified children and parents.

The former pitcher known as Wild Thing during his days with the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly called the umpire a ‘motherf****r’ during a furious rant in front of the teams made up of 10-years-olds, said witnesses.

Phillies Fan, embarrassed to watch @WildThingMLBN Mitch Williams get thrown out of a 10 year old baseball game today @RipkenBaseball
— Hit Me SEO (@HitMeSEO) May 11, 2014

Multiple sources told Deadspin Williams was coaching his son’s Cal Ripken youth team Saturday during a tournament in Maryland when he went on the pre-Mother's Day tirade.

Wild Thing was said to have been griping about balls and strikes the whole game from behind first base.

His constant complaints led to several arguments on the field that eventually culminated in his profanity-laced blowout after he "shouted something to a parent in the stands about getting that umpire fired," sources told Deadspin.

Another parent in attendance said the confrontation was "a train wreck," and that Williams had to be physically separated from the unnamed umpire.

"He went nuts. He got into the umpire’s face like it was the Major Leagues."

The hot-headed Williams then refused to leave the field and caused a 10 minute delay that led to him being banned from the entirety of the tournament. The ban was reportedly lifted after it was determined that the umpire had acted unprofessionally.

Williams eventually left the field but remained behind home plate to watch the rest of the game, said another witness. There were no further incidents.

Later, he took to Twitter to defend his actions after being taunted by a fan.

"To set the record straight. I was thrown out for laughing at a call. Then the [umpire] threatened to fight me. Said pick a time and place," Williams tweeted.

@HitMeSEO to set the record straight. I was thrown out for laughing at a call.then the threatened to fight me.said pick a time and place.
— Mitch Williams (@WildThingMLBN) May 11, 2014

"For those that think I'm making this up. It is on film... and when he threatened me [one] of my coaches came out and put his hands on him," said Williams.

Williams also swore that video would vindicate him, but that footage was nowhere to be found. Curiously, it is curiously the only game in the entire tournament not able to be viewed online.

Benches empty during Nationals-Phillies game (VIDEO)

During a crucial at-bat with one out in the top of the fifth and his team down 3-1, Denard Span requested a time out from home plate umpire Jim Reynolds, but was denied. In the middle of the request, the Phillies Cliff Lee continued with his wind-up and fired an inside fastball that nearly hit the Nationals batter.

Span was upset that Lee threw inside, as he could clearly be seen saying “c’mon man” after the pitch.

Lee shrugged it off and threw a low fastball for ball two before Span slapped an RBI ground out to the right side to cut the Phillies’ lead to 3-2. As he jogged off the field, it appears Lee said something to Span, which caused Span to stop dead in his tracks and turn back towards Lee. The two exchanged words and the dugouts and bullpens emptied. No punches were thrown and the situation was defused. But, while the teams mingled, Lee seemed bemused by the whole situation.

Nats won, 5-3.

Here we go:

Cliff Lee high-fives Phillies fans from on-deck circle (VIDEO)

Cliff Lee looked as dominant as ever while tossing eight shutout innings and striking out 10 batters without a walk on his way to a 7-0 win over the Dodgers.

The Phillies ace even added a single from the plate and looked so comfortable he took time out to high-five a couple of young fans through the netting near the on-deck circle.

Yes sir, Cliff. You earned that high-ten.

Coors Field fans go nuts over loose squirrel (VIDEO)

A squirrel ran out on to the field multiple times during the Rockies and Phillies game at Coors Field Saturday night, but it was the little guy's third-inning romp around the the basepaths that really got the fans going nuts.

The furry crowd pleaser made its way into the outfield and past the Rockies bullpen before finally being corralled through an opening into a more natural habitat — the centerfield nature preserve.

Taunting Phillies fans reaction to Braves' game-winning grand slam is priceless (VIDEO)

The Philadelphia Phillies were on the verge celebrating a win against Atlanta on Monday night when one group of Phillies fans got a serious lesson in humility after the Braves won with what turned out to be a game winning, ninth-inning grand slam.

The Phillies were up by one in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park when Braves slugger Dan Uggla came up to bat.

The loud-mouthed Phillies fans did what they do best and taunted Uggla — who had already hit one home run that game. 

But that festive mood in the stands changed after Uggla drove a pitch from Jake Diekman deep into the seats in left field for the grand salami.

The slow-mo replay video of the Phillies fans clearly shows them go from unbridled glee to soul-sucking depression with one swing of the bat.

And fans from Flushing to South Beach rejoiced.

Phillies' Ben Revere lays out for incredible catch (VIDEO)

Ben Revere has been criticized for his defense of late but, after the Phillies outfielder made this insane catch of a Scooter Gennet liner, he might have put all that talk under him — literally.

Revere covers so much ground on this play — most of it in the  air — that he seems to be flying.

Elliot Johnson takes scary tumble into dugout (VIDEO)

The Atlanta Braves' Elliot Johnson makes a tremendous effort chasing a foul pop-up, sending him flying into the Phillies' dugout during the sixth inning of Sunday's game.

The third baseman chased a foul ball right through an opening in the dugout and got nary a hand from his Philadelphia counterparts as he tumbled down the stairs. But after the scary-looking play, Johnson did get a nice round of applause from the Turner Field crowd when he climbed back out to the field.

Giancarlo Stanton sends home run to another planet — ‘Planet Hoagie’ (VIDEO)

Giancarlo Stanton has hit some long long home runs during his four years with the Marlins.

But Wednesday night in Philadelphia, he sent a baseball to another planet — Planet Hoagie.

With his team trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning, Stanton crushed Evan Martin's 1-1 pitch so far over the left-center field wall it ended up hitting a concession stand with a sign that says "Planet Hoagie" in one of the upper decks of Citizens Bank Park.

Who ordered the No. 6 with mayo and a Rawlings?

ESPN's Home Run Tracker estimated the blast at 463 feet, but watching the video with the naked eye it looks like it was hit twice as far.

If the distance is accurate, Stanton's would be tied for 11th longest homer in the Majors this season.

Stanton has missed time due to injury this season, but now 23 home runs in 106 games. It was the 116th homer of his four-year career.

The 57-98 Marlins won the game 4-3 in 10 innings. 

Kyle Kendrick's amusing attempt to kick a fair ball foul (VIDEO)

Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick tried one of the oldest tricks in the book but — considering over 31,000 fans and one eagle-eyed umpire inside Nationals Park were watching the whole thing  — it's no surprise he didn't get away with it.

On a Steve Lombardozzi bunt, Kendrick deliberately — and obviously — kicks the slow-rolling ball foul and, although his planned strategy didn't work, it's still pretty funny.

Cubs announcers use artist's drawings to show home run replay

Nate Schierholtz hit a home run in the fourth inning of Chicago's 6-5 loss to Philadelphia at Wrigley Field on Friday. Unfortunately, the Cubs broadcast was experiencing some technical issues when it happened.

So when it came time for a replay, the resourceful announcers relied on an artist's rendition to show the big hit.

Although he took some artistic license — Schierholtz is a left-handed batter, while his stick-figure avatar was a righty — the artist did include cute little authentic looking caps in his drawings.

Cameraman snags foul ball, gets adulation from crowd (VIDEO)

A television cameraman — with an uncanny resemblance to movie director Kevin Smith — made a terrific barehanded catch of a foul ball at Citizens Bank Park during the Dodgers-Phillies game Friday night. After rolling the ball over the Dodgers dugout into the stands, Andy — as the announcers called him —soaked in the adulation from the crowd with a nifty little bow.

Maybe it was Smith. Philly is only a three-exit, Jersey Turnpike drive away from Silent Bob's usual stomping grounds.

Either way, Behind the Scenes Andy, you earned the applause.

Brave's bat boy removes live bat from Turner Field

During the second inning of last night's Phillies-Braves game, an injured bat fell onto the infield of Turner Field — the winged kind of bat .

Who's the first person you think of when you want to remove a bat from the base paths? The batboy — why of course.

Appropriately, the Braves' brave batboy safely carries it off the field and shows it off in the team's dugout where nobody wants anything to do with the little bug-eater.

As it turned out, the Braves didn't need the extra bat —they won 6-3.

Phillies fan grabs flying bat at Citi Field without spilling beer

It seems reasonable for a player to lose his grip on his bat considering the sweltering heat that has been cooking New York City and slicking up hands with sweat for the past two weeks. But to lose your handle on a cold beer while that bat flies right at you — no way!

This Phillies fan was able to concentrate on the free-flying bat off the hands of Anthony Recker after it bounces off the top of the dugout and almost clips a Mets fan in the face. Even though that sequence, the fan in red manages to snag the bat without spilling his cold, refreshing cup of beer.

No stickum necessary.