Baseball fans, brace yourselves for a story that’s as wild as a 113.8 mph line drive—because that’s exactly what happened, and it didn’t just clear the fence; it literally dented a food truck. Yes, you read that right. Harrison Bader of the SF Giants didn’t just put a figurative dent in the Brewers’ confidence during Wednesday’s 13-12 Cactus League showdown; he sent a ball soaring into Monica Godfrey’s food truck, leaving a mark that’ll be remembered long after the final out. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: Bader didn’t just walk away from the chaos. In the middle of the game, he strolled over to the truck, signed his name next to the dent, and added a simple ‘Sorry.’ Talk about a home run in sportsmanship!
Let’s rewind to the fourth inning. Milwaukee’s Garrett Stallings tried to sneak a 1-2 slider past Bader, but the outfielder wasn’t having it. He crushed the pitch with a swing so perfect, the sound echoed through American Family Fields of Phoenix. The ball rocketed over the left-field fence and straight into Godfrey’s açai bowl truck, ‘Cactus Bowls.’ Godfrey, who was serving a customer at the time, recalled the moment: ‘I heard people gasp and duck, and then—Bam!’ Ironically, it was the first day her truck was parked in that spot during the Cactus League season. Talk about timing.
And this is the part most people miss: Godfrey’s truck wasn’t just any food truck. It’s a passion project she started last August, bringing healthy açai bowls to high school games and cheer competitions. Bader, who’s been on a tear this spring with five RBIs in 10 plate appearances, later joked, ‘I’m trying to stay away from sugar, but I hope they’re serving good food in there.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Bader’s dent-making homer was the hardest-hit ball by a Giant this spring, it wasn’t the only long ball of the day. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge hit a towering two-run shot, and outfielder Luis Matos also cleared the left-field fence. Eldridge’s homer, however, was a wallscraper that barely made it out—a fact he jokingly attributed to his size and strength. ‘People say most of my home runs are accidents,’ he quipped. ‘But I think I just take advantage of my size.’ Is natural power enough, or does technique matter more? Let’s debate that in the comments.
Meanwhile, Eldridge isn’t resting on his laurels. He recently sought advice from none other than Hall of Famer Jeff Kent, who shared his secret to success: ‘He hated losing, and he wasn’t afraid to learn from others.’ Eldridge took the lesson to heart, emphasizing the importance of staying open to learning from everyone, regardless of experience.
Shifting gears, right fielder Jung Hoo Lee played his final game before joining Team South Korea for the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo. Giants coach Vitello expressed no concerns about Lee’s overseas trip but noted the team will need to be mindful of his return. Vitello even wrote Lee a personal note—in English, with a little help from Google Translate.
Lastly, left-hander Carson Whisenhunt had a shaky Cactus League debut. After a flawless first inning, he unraveled in the second, walking four batters and giving up five earned runs. Is this a rookie jitters moment, or a sign of deeper issues? Share your thoughts below.
From dented food trucks to accidental home runs and international baseball dreams, this game had it all. What’s your take on the day’s highlights? Let’s hear it!
