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It looks like the Miguel Sano In The Outfield Experiment has officially come to an end. With Sano being activated yesterday and Byung Ho Park sent to the minors, reporters asked manager Paul Molitor about his plans for Sano going forward. “I see using him at third base some and designated hitter some,” Molitor told them. “If I get into a situation where I have to put him in the outfield, I would consider that. That’s really not my preference right now... I primarily see him at third base and DH.”
Terry Ryan then unnecessarily chimed in, “For me, his defense in right field … was adequate.”
And in that spirit, let us reflect on the life that was The Miguel Sano In The Outfield Experiment. What was your favorite moment of adequacy?
March 20th, 2016:
Sure, Spring Training is Spring Training for everyone, but there were already ominous signs of things to come. Take this play where Ben Gamel hits a routine ball to right field:
Gulp.
April 6th, 2016:
Here, Sano gives some hope for his defensive abilities in right field (even though this seems like a pretty easy ball to catch for most right fielders).
April 15th, 2016:
How could anyone forget the time Sano almost killed Eduardo Nunez?
Right then and there, even my dog now knew this was not a good idea. (Note: My dog has been dead for four years.) Thank god for Joe Mauer, too.
April 16th, 2016:
While this one doesn’t seem particularly inflammatory, I think even a 41 year old Torii Hunter would have played this ball better.
April 19th, 2016:
I don’t know about you, but this is perhaps my biggest memory of Sano in the outfield.
If that’s my biggest memory... yeah.
April 21st, 2016:
This one isn’t particularly inflammatory, but just watching Miguel Sano try to chug along and cover ground in the outfield is kind of painful.
Not to mention this was the day Prince died. It just makes it even worse.
April 29th, 2016:
Another embarrassing... wait, holy crap! Sano actually did it!
April 30th, 2016:
Yet, one day later, we’re reminded yet again why this wasn’t the greatest of ideas.
May 13th, 2016:
Okay, so one thing Sano does have is a great arm, right?
GOD DAMN IT.
May 16th, 2016:
Okay, so this one wasn’t really on Sano, but still...
May 18th, 2016:
More adequate fielding:
While it was fun in a sadistic way, I, for one, am glad to put this chapter of Twins history to rest.
And may it rest in peace. Amen.