“Happy Gilmore 2” dropped Friday on Netflix. A day later, Baltimore Orioles catcher Alex Jackson practically recreated the franchise’s signature move with an eighth-inning home run against the Colorado Rockies.
When “Happy Gilmore” first hit the big screen in 1996, Adam Sandler’s character became synonymous with his unorthodox golf swing that saw the former hockey player take three steps and drive the ball more than 400 yards.
It’s a comedy, one of Sandler’s best.
The Orioles’ 18-0 drubbing of the 27-win Rockies was laughable, too.
Jackson put the finishing touches on Baltimore’s blowout win Saturday night with two steps up the batter’s box and one big swing on a pitch from a position player.
His solo shot didn’t go more than 400 yards, of course. But it eclipsed 400 feet to center field.
Jackson was one of three Orioles to homer against the Rockies, a day after Baltimore dropped the series opener to the NL West bottom dwellers who have a -264 run differential this season.
Right fielder Tyler O’Neill, who was designated hitting Saturday, went yard for the second straight game. Then center fielder Cedric Mullins hit his 100th career big fly.
Nine of the Orioles’ runs came in the seventh inning off Rockies relievers Zach Agnos and Nick Anderson. That frame, Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo both delivered two-run doubles.
As for Jackson’s dinger, he teed off on Colorado designated hitter-turned-pitcher Kyle Farmer.
It went down as his third homer of the season. The 29-year-old came into the night slashing .273/.273/.727 in the 11 games.
An injury-riddled Baltimore team, currently last in the AL East, acquired Jackson in a trade with the New York Yankees earlier this month. The Orioles have cycled through catchers this season. Most notably, two-time All-Star Adley Rutschman hasn’t played since June 19 because of a left oblique strain.
Jackson is making the most of his opportunity. He shined under the lights Saturday against the Rockies with a swing reminiscent of the great Happy Gilmore.
