Sean Smith’s Game 3 home run heroics go national

We just don’t realize life’s most significant moments while they’re happening. Back then I thought, “well, there’ll be other days.”  I didn’t realize that that was the only day.
–Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham

Did I just start a blog post with a Field of Dreams quote?  Yes.  And who cares if it’s corny, because when you witness a real-life baseball moment that actually rivals fantasy – or surpasses it – it might be the only time you can legitimately go to the Field of Dreams well.

The video is above of Sean Smith tying Game 3 of Freedom Division Championship Series with a solo home run in the eighth inning, before collapsing with what turned out to be a blown right ACL.  If you’re reader of this blog you likely know what happens next.  If not, please watch the video now before you read any further.

The Revolution went on to win 3-2 in 10 innings to take a 2-1 series lead.  With rally towels flying during the dramatic final act of York’s home playoff opener, in Santander Stadium we all understood it was a special moment in franchise history.  What we didn’t realize was HOW special it would be to everyone else nationwide, mainly ESPN and Fox Sports as the video quickly circulated.

As texts and Twitter of various front office staff began buzzing well after midnight, as fans and staffers alike retreated home to rest and anticipate Game 4 and a possible series win the next day, Moonlight Graham’s quote became very apt.  After grinding out a 15-season minor league career, this will probably be the “only day” Sean Smith and the York Revolution are the lead story on SportsCenter and number 1 on their top 10.  But boy did he earn it with that show of grit and determination.  It may not be the equivalent of a day in the big leagues, but if only every player we come across fighting to make it to the Majors and doesn’t could get such a well-deserved spotlight shone on them for continuing to put their body through 150 minor league baseball games every year. It’s just a shame that to earn that recognition, Smith had to sustain a serious knee injury. He may have hit one of the bigger homers in Revolution history, but that’s what I call a sacrifice.

Indeed, this video was shown on SportsCenter, at the very top of the show as their “Moment of the Night.”  Smith was also the night’s “Best Person in Sports” on Fox Sports Live on the Fox Sports 1 channel.  ESPN used a good portion of Darrell Henry’s call of the moment as well; very cool to see and hear that familiar voice on ESPN.  (DH received a shoutout by name from SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett.)  And to the 6,682 fans in the Santander Stadium playoff-record crowd, you were the truth in urging Smith on, appreciating what he was accomplishing and making that moment as unreal as it was.

OTHER SHOUTOUTS: Revolution Multi-Media Manager Scott Parker for cutting and distributing the video so quickly, and Daniel Kurish of WOYK 1350 for helping to spread it around to ESPN social media and other outlets.

-Paul Braverman