The popular "Kung Fu Panda" movie series by Dreamworks, as of now, is just a trilogy, and it doesn't seem as though there has been any recent talk of a fourth movie coming out. Still, there's a 2021 version of Kung Fu Panda that fans can't take their eyes off of — only it's not animated, and it's not a production of Dreamworks, but of the Atlanta Braves.
That's right: 34-year-old Pablo Sandoval is absolutely raking, albeit in a limited sample size, to kick off 2021. Mind you, this is the same Pablo Sandoval that joined the Braves' roster as a free agent in September of 2020, just three days after he was released by the Giants. And yes, it's the same Pablo Sandoval that made a sudden appearance in the 2020 playoffs, revealing that several hardcore MLB fans had literally no idea he was on the team.
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If you're a Braves fan in 2021 and you still don't know he's on the team, then... you're just not a Braves fan. Sandoval appeared as a pinch-hitter in the team's first game of the season against the Phillies, and did this.
But that happened on April Fool's Day, so that had to just be some sort of joke because it was the Phillies, right?
The Phillies and the Nationals became his victims in the first two series of the season, both thanks to pinch-hit home runs. But he couldn't possibly keep doing it to the rest of the NL East. There's no way that would happen.
What on earth is going on? When the Braves take on the Mets for a three-game home series starting on May 17, Jacob deGrom and co. better be ready. He's on a torrid pace to begin the year — though, again, it's not a huge sample size — as he's gone 3-8 with three home runs, seven RBI and a casual 2.000 OPS. It's not just a torrid pace; it's a potentially historic pace.
The record for the most pinch-hit home runs in a single season is seven, co-held by Dave Hansen (2000 Angels) and Craig Wilson (2001 Pirates). The record for the most pinch-hit home runs in a single month is four, when Erubiel Durazo did it for the Diamondbacks in April of 2001 (h/t Sarah Langs). Sandoval has three, all this month. Think about that for a second and do the math yourself... he doesn't even need to keep up this pace and he'll still shatter some records.
The Kung Fu Panda frenzy is spreading over the Braves fan base, and should inspire a feeling of nostalgia for Giants fans who witnessed his greatness throughout many seasons and big playoff moments. Interestingly, it's like the complete opposite scenario as another beloved former Giant, who's much more expensive and much less productive.
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Meanwhile, for Braves fans, they're on cloud nine. After all, what's not to like? He's a savvy veteran, he's got a lovable air around him and he's absolutely annihilating baseballs!
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