Best bat flips of all time

A little over a week ago, AN’s Philip Christy had an ask: “Someone start a post with the best bat flips of all time.”

Well Mr. Christy, challenge accepted.

I’m not one to shy away from a good research project. Especially when the project is “hey, go look at sweet home run footage all afternoon.” I sucked it up, took one for the AN team, and got to work cutting tape in the film room (except it’s 2020, so I just did an internet search).

Per Mr. Christy’s request, attached below in the desired product.

• Contents: One AN Blog Post
• Enclosed: Fifteen videos of ash, hickory, and maple flying through the air

Kind regards,

— Ciderbeck

P.S. I highly recommend putting on your favorite swagger song while reading this list. My choice was Destiny’s Child. Haters gonna’ hate, I love that track.

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The Greatest of All Time

Here’s Philip’s vote for #1. I don’t think many on AN will object.

(Apologies for the potato quality, would love to find a better video clip if anyone knows of a source.)

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The Glare

This moment dominated MLB headlines for about a week in 2018. The flip itself was modest, but was enhanced by a glare at the opposing dugout. (In terms of pure flip, here’s a more dramatic one from Canha from a couple months prior.)

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Here’s what the rest of MLB, and the rest of the world, have on offer.

Clearly Pulled By a String

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A Bat Flip Legend is Born

The Year: 2015

The Game: ALDS Game 5

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Trick shot

This video has only 52 views and deserves so many more. The skill, the audacious set-up, the music. This is what YouTube was meant for.

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Photo finish at the Derby

You know Yo gotta go on this list.

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Like father, like son

Fernando Tatis Sr. once hit two grand slams in the same inning. His kid also knows how to make a statement. (Clip is from the winter Dominican League.)

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Around the world

Seriously though, you have to understand that MLB is bush league A-ball compared to Korean pro-ball flippin’ skills.

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The Backwards K

Not all bat flips come after good results.

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Wingardium Leviosa

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I fought the Lawless and the Lawless won

The Year: 1987

The Game: World Series Game 4

Tom Lawless’ career batting line: .207 / .263 / .258

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Sheer Joy

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Deja vu all over again

Twenty years before Bautista, there was Thome.

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Flipcast

Why yes, you can collect sabermetric data on bat flips.

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Wild Horse

We’ll end with the poster child of the modern bat flip debate, Mr. Yasiel Puig.

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Final Thoughts

Please comment about any flips I missed.

Which clip above was your favorite?

What’s your favorite swagger song?

Thanks for reading and stay strong. Baseball can’t no longer exist for forever.