In this space, we tell stories, but we do not tell lies. So when we tell you that Mariners cloutsman Nelson Cruz on Friday night launched a ball completely out of Safeco Field during batting practice, we traffic not in lore but rather True Baseball Facts.
At this point, video evidence is clearly in order ...
The full video and reaction: @ncboomstick23 LEAVES the yard, the first ever ball hit completely out of Safeco Field.https://t.co/oAYaKI74T7
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 29, 2016
And the people rise as one and offer up a profane exclamation! Lo, thine eyes do not deceive: Nelson Cruz had smote a cowhide orb completely out of Safeco Field. Excelsior!
So how far did it travel? Cruz's bomb didn't happen in a game, so we're forced to rely on estimates. Here's our first hint ...
Today in BP: Nellie hit the first ever bomb out onto Royal Brougham.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 29, 2016
Tune in to @ROOTSPORTS_NW at 6:30 for video. pic.twitter.com/8tMFpIF7KZ
So it went on to Royal outside the left field side of Safeco. Now through the magic of Google Earth ...
Hey, let's call it 470 feet or so out of Safeco and onto Royal! Of course, given the apparent height of the ball as it departed the confines of note, it's entirely possible that Cruz's not-for-keeps blast traveled significantly farther than that. Call it a conservative and possibly lame-wad estimate.
The point, though, is that Nelson Cruz hit the darn ball out of the darn physical structure where baseball is played.