Vroom Vroom Guy is a hypothetical player who runs the bases without stopping until he scores or is put out. He has become a podcast folk hero.
As used on the podcast, it is typically applied to players who are extremely aggressive on the basepaths.
Origin[]
Vroom Vroom Guy was invented by listener CJ in an email in Episode 1217. The original Vroom Vroom Guy always got a hit, but never stopped running.
CJ noted in a Facebook comment that "the two chief inspirations for Vroom Vroom were Brandon Nimmo running to first after getting hit by pitches, and that Tommy Pham interview where after he got picked off third because it's easier to score runs if you're closer to home plate. That combination of the sheer excitement to head to the next base, and the utter disbelief that anything else could be right."
Subsequent Appearances[]
- Episode 1228: Listener Troy Carter shared video footage of a Vroom Vroom Guy he created in the video game MLB The Show. He triples and is easily thrown out at home plate.
- Episode 1364: we learn about Johnny Cooney, a real-life Vroom Vroom Guy who in 1926 distracted the defense by continuing around the bases after being forced out at second base. In recognition of this achievement, Cooney is drafted in Episode 1813: The Stanky Draft for being responsible for a rule change.
- Episode 1453: The show recreates the radio broadcast of a baseball game from 1916 in which everybody ran the bases like Vroom Vroom Guy. Sam anachronistically "coins" the name Vroom Vroom Guy to describe the action.
- Episode 1556: The Stat Blast considers whether Billy Hamilton should just run like Vroom Vroom Guy when he is the zombie runner in extra innings.
- Episode 1812: Meg invokes Vroom Vroom Guy when discussing a "scramble" rule in baseball where a runner already on base can score after the third out if they can cross home plate before all the defensive players have made it off the field.
- Episode 1819: Ben compares the mole-man runner to Vroom Vroom Guy, since he can proceed from base to base with impunity.
Counterparts[]
The great acclaim bestowed upon Vroom Vroom Guy inspired others to invent their own hypothetical players with odd mediocre powers.
- In Episode 449, Episode 473, and Episode 1208, listeners consider hypothetical batters who never got a hit but always had a long at-bat. In Episode 1015, the podcast discovered a real-life version of this hypothetical player: Takuya Nakashima.
- In Episode 1080, listener Jack creates a hypothetical closer who never allows a run, but always loads the bases.
- In Episode 1204, listener Shaun creates "Immaculate Jones", a hypothetical pitcher who strikes out every batter he faces on three pitches. However, he pitches only the third inning and insists on being in every other game.
- In Episode 1251, listener Aaron creates "The Sieve", a hypothetical pitcher who can be relied upon to give up exactly one run per inning.
- In Episode 1319, listener Dave creates a hypothetical player who could stay in a rundown indefinitely.
Other oddball players:
- In Episode 1565, Ben and Meg consider a player with a third arm growing out of the top of his head.
- In Episode 1819, Ben and Meg consider a mole-man runner who could tunnel underground.
- In Episode 1855, Ben and Meg consider a glass-assed Rickey Henderson.