Giants Minor Leaguer Drew Robinson Hits First Homer Since Losing Eye in Suicide Attempt

In Wednesday’s Hot Clicks: Drew Robinson’s remarkable comeback continues, Shohei Ohtani’s old-school position switch and more.

A real Hollywood moment

The most remarkable story of the 2021 baseball season is unfolding in Triple A.

Drew Robinson, a 29-year-old utilityman in the Giants’ system, is attempting to make it back to the major leagues 13 months after losing his right eye in a suicide attempt.

On April 16, 2020, Robinson attempted suicide with a handgun. The bullet tore apart his right eye, fractured his sinus and exited below his left eye. He waited 20 hours before calling 911. His doctors agree that the fact he survived is nothing short of a miracle.

Robinson shared his story with ESPN’s Jeff Passan for an article and E:60 segment published in February, explaining how the experience has altered his life. “I’m meant to be alive,” he recalled telling his brother repeatedly from his hospital bed.

In October, the Giants offered him a nonguaranteed contract. Last week, he made the Opening Day roster for the Sacramento River Cats, the Giants’ Triple A affiliate. And on Tuesday night, he hit a home run.

🚨HOME RUN🚨

The moment every baseball fan has been waiting for: a Drew Robinson bomb! 💣 @Drewrobbb

T3 | SAC - 4, LV - 1#ClawsUp pic.twitter.com/abX434fcRZ

— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) May 12, 2021

Cover one of your eyes and imagine trying to hit a baseball traveling at 90 mph. It seems impossible. But the surgeon who removed Robinson’s damaged eye explained to Passan that the missing eye might not be as big of an impediment as it seems, because hitters decide whether to swing at a pitch when it’s about 45 feet from the plate, outside the range at which Robinson’s depth perception might be affected.

Robinson, who was batting eighth in the lineup, was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a strikeout.

On top of everything else, the dinger came on the road in Las Vegas, Robinson’s hometown. 

The best of SI

Two star catchers in the twilight of their careers, Yadier Molina and Buster Posey, are having their best seasons ever at the plate. ... Cynthia Cooper is the most overlooked star from the first 25 years of the WNBA. ... Which rookie QB will have the most success in 2021?

Around the sports world

The A’s are threatening to leave Oakland if they don’t get a new stadium. ... The Chiefs cut the tight end who wanted his salary paid out in Bitcoin. ... The Raiders’ stadium will feature a nightclub in one end zone this season. ... Bob Baffert admitted that Medina Spirit was treated with an ointment that includes the drug he tested positive for. ... Michael Jordan told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan about the last text he sent to Kobe Bryant. 

Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 and then stayed in the game in right field

He also made a nifty play on the mound

So smooth

Close enough

Not everything has to have a local angle (and the edited version isn’t much better)

Quarterback in 2008 Sugar Bowl has died https://t.co/RXqN5vMWbu

— AJC Sports (@AJCsports) May 11, 2021

This is clearly a dig at noted Red Sox fan Ben Affleck

Go Yankees pic.twitter.com/aOz3tuwfRu

— Patrick Hruby (@patrick_hruby) May 11, 2021

Outstanding assist here

LUKE THOMAS 💥

WHAT a volley! pic.twitter.com/Z7vQGLhdzD

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2021

Not sports

A recent expedition was able to get the most accurate measurements yet of the deepest parts of the ocean. ... A Milwaukee bakery was burglarized and then made cookies with the suspect’s face printed on them. 

Matt Damon has a very bad goatee in his new movie

A good song

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.