Mason baseball players as Marvel’s Avengers

Caleb Parnell

Avengers: Endgame recently hit theaters this past weekend and has become a global phenomenon, already earning more than $1.2 billion worldwide in the first few days. With the recent release of Endgame, it is a good time to make comparisons between the characters in the Avengers series and players on the Varsity baseball team.

*WARNING*: SPOILERS AHEAD.

 

 

Aidan Clark: Black Panther

Infielder moves to the play
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Black Panther
Via Marvel

Senior shortstop Aidan Clark is known for this agility on defense, including diving for ground balls and jumping over runners. Black Panther, who is brought back for the final battle in Endgame, is also known for his cat-like agility. Aidan also shares similar strength as Black Panther and was even chosen for the spring break home-run derby, where he almost hit a home run.

 

 

Brian Murphy: Thor

Player runs the bases
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Thor
Via Marvel

In Endgame, Thor is seen in New Asgard when Bruce Banner and Rocket go to recruit

him for the Time Heist. After the events of Infinity War, Thor has become a drunk as he blames himself for “The Snap.” Known for his laid-back personality at practice, senior outfielder Brian Murphy draws many similarities to “Fat Thor” in Endgame, as they both share an easygoing attitude. The two are not very similar weight-wise, but Brian could use a few more pounds anyways.

 

Sean Butler: Iron Man

Catcher catches the baseball
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Iron Man
Via Marvel

Senior catcher Sean Butler’s red catcher’s gear resembles Iron Man’s red suit of armor. Sean also dives and blocks wild pitches behind home plate with his body, showing that he is willing to put his body on the line for the team, just like how Iron Man is willing to put his life on the line for humanity at the end of Endgame. Also Sean, like Iron Man, loves popsicles.

 

Johnny Asel: Hulk/Bruce Banner

Runner waits to go.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Bruce Banner
Via Marvel

Senior outfielder and pitcher Johnny Asel is a perfect mix of brains and brawn. Known for his in-depth studies of baseball analytics, Johnny is also very strong, making him just like the new Bruce Banner/Hulk hybrid in Endgame.

 

 

Carter Jones: Drax

Infielder waits for the play to begin
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Drax
Via Marvel

Senior first baseman Carter Jones is huge, just like the muscular Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Carter also provides comedic relief in the dugout and on the bus to games, just like how Drax provides comedic relief in Endgame.

 

 

Erik Martin: Star-Lord

Player pitches the ball
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Star-Lord
Via Marvel

Lighthearted yet focused, senior first baseman Erik Martin shares the same energy as Star-Lord, the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. In addition to their shared attitude towards their work, they both love some good 70s music.

 

 

 

Player pitches the ball
Photo courtesy of Carol Sly.
Captain America
Via Marvel

 

Jay Nesson: Captain America

Senior pitcher and outfielder Jay Nesson has strong leadership abilities, similar to Captain America. Jay can throw heat on the pitcher’s mound like how Captain America throws his shield. He also has the same self-sacrificing personality as ‘Cap’ when pitching, often willing to throw complete games and risk hurting his arm.

 

Caleb Parnell: Spiderman/Peter Parker

Batter winds up.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Spiderman
Via Marvel

 

Aside from both being incredibly handsome, junior second baseman Caleb Parnell and Spiderman are both very agile; Caleb can make athletic plays in the infield, and Spiderman shows off his agility in the final fight of Endgame, where he swings his way across the battlefield and helps deliver the Infinity Gauntlet to Ant-Man’s van.

 

Player poses with bat
Photo credit to Caleb Parnell.
Rocket
Via Marvel

 

Kaleb Chan: Rocket

Speedy junior outfielder Kaleb Chan is perhaps the fastest on the team, similar to Rocket, who uses his speed and ability to scurry away from opponents. In Endgame, Rocket travels to Asgard with Thor during the Time Heist in order to retrieve the Reality Stone/Aether. Although Kaleb does not have fur or a tail and is not a raccoon, the two are practically the same otherwise.

 

Nick Fiegel: Ant-Man

Runner waits to run
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Ant-Man
Via Marvel

Junior outfielder Nick Fiegel may be a smaller member of the team, but he can come up big when the team needs him on the base paths. Similarly, Ant-man devises the plan for the Time Heist that ends up saving the day and bringing back those who had been “snapped.” Word of advice, Nick: hold onto your taco meat.

 

 

Peter Villa: Hawkeye

Pitcher winds up to pitch.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Hawkeye
Via Marvel

Hawkeye, who turns vigilante after the death of his family from “The Snap,” joins the Avengers as a member of the Time Heist. Sophomore pitcher and outfielder Peter Villa is a lefty and is very accurate from the mound, just like left-handed archer Hawkeye’s ability to hit precise targets. Peter is also very unselfish, similar to how Hawkeye tries to sacrifice himself in order to receive the Soul Stone during the Time Heist.

 

 

Michael Hammond: War Machine

Player running the bases.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
War Machine
Via Marvel

War Machine is strong and dependable, just like sophomore third baseman and outfielder Michael Hammond. Like War Machine, Michael is a loyal team member and constantly fights to help the team.

 

Jackson Pierce: Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Catcher crouching to catch the ball.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Bucky Barnes
Via Marvel

Freshman shortstop and catcher Jackson Pierce throws very hard, almost as if he has a bionic arm like Bucky Barnes. Jackson’s background as a Hydra assassin is not confirmed, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

 

 

Thomas Downs: Groot

Player swings the bat
Photo courtesy of Laurie Clark.
Groot
Via Marvel

 

Groot, a tree creature who’s a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, is also restored at the final battle in Endgame. In addition to looking exactly like him, Thomas is great with the stick when hitting, and Groot is made of sticks.