Miguel Sano Literally Hit Tropicana Field Roof with Pop-Up, and Evan Longoria Still Caught It

The Minnesota Twins reportedly were considering sending young slugger Miguel Sano to the minor leagues, despite his well-above-average production, because of a perceived attitude problem. Well, reports of a possible demotion made Sano hit the roof—literally.

For the first time ever, historians of Tropicana Field say, someone hit the ballpark's roof with a pop-up. Players have hit catwalks and "rings" before, but not the actual roof. Unfortunately for Sano, Tampa Bay Raysinfielder Evan Longoria stuck with the popup and caught it for an out.

Watch it get weird at the Trop, and listen to Rays analyst Brian Anderson marvel: "That hit off of the roof, and I mean it hit it with some authority."

Domes! Everyone hates them, or says they hate them, and usually with good reason. That said, baseball benefits from having at least one dome stadium in the league. Why should every ballpark be a beautiful, clean venue like Target Field, where the Twins now play, when you can have a dank, dark basement where balls (apparently) can ricochet off the roof? Makes it more challenging for the players. Remember how odd Minnesota's Metrodome was? Tropicana Field is even odder, with its "rings," fish tanks, dumb fence heights, and weird ground rules. Sure, the Rays franchise is slowly strangling because nobody wants to attend games there, but it's an amusing venue for us, the fans.

Also odd and amusing: the Twins obsession with wanting to "fix" Sano's so-called attitude problem with a trip to the minors. Consider:

Miguel Sano's ranks among all Twins hitters through 159 career games:
Homers: 1st
Walks: 1st
RBIs: 3rd
OPS: 3rd Hope demotion talk is dead.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 8, 2016

Oh sure, what a mess. The Yankees or the Red Sox or just about anybody would love to have those sort of problems hitting fourth and playing third base. Shut up, Twins. Even if you can't tell a player's value from stats, your franchise above all others should understand the value of being able to hit the roof with a baseball. Say no to putting Sano in the minors. Say yes to putting a Teflon dome on Target Field. Bring back weird baseball to the Twinned Cities.