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Home Run Derby Thrills, Almost Kills Fan; Selig Saved By Slightest Of Margins

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If you go to MLB.com and look through the video from the 2011 Home Run Derby you will see some cool stuff. Robinson Cano hitting bombs to win the final round. Prince Fielder hitting bombs to silence the boos. A kid making a diving grab on a fly ball. What you won't see is anything related to a fan almost falling to his death (or serious injury) as he fell over a railing to catch a ball.

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You look at the complete story of Keith Carmickle and you can make the case that evolution was simply doing its thing and Major League Baseball has nothing to be ashamed about.

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Carmickle and his buddies had already caught three home run balls before he stood shoeless on top of a small table with nothing but a huge drop in front of him when things went wrong as evidence by this series of photos from Arizona Republic photographer Michael Chow.

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Then again, after the tragic events in Texas, what did the MLB think would happen when they started launching "gold balls" into the stands?

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Fortunately for this genius, his friends acted fast enough to prevent a serious incident.

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Bud Selig should be sending those guys thank you cards stuffed with free tickets and a large edible arrangement to express his gratitude. They saved Selig's hide but only by the hair on one fan's legs.