Reds fan catches two home runs in same inning — and then gives both balls away

There's  no doubt about it: Caleb Lloyd is the man.

The 20-year-old Cincinnati Reds fan made hundreds of headlines on Monday night after catching home run balls from pitcher Mike Leake and shortstop Zack Cozart. Lloyd's dueling grabs occurred not only in the same game, but in consecutive at-bats during the Reds' 4-1 win over Atlanta Braves at Great American Ballpark. Not bad for someone who had just planned on playing the MLB 2K12 video game all night before his friend called him up with a last-minute offer of tickets in the left field bleachers.

Watch the unreal sequence play out here:

But while Lloyd living out two dream grabs  on what he called "the best day" of his life is impressive, I was actually more taken by the fact he immediately gave up both homer balls to people he thought would like them better. While we've written posts about people catching two homers in one day or three in each game of a series, I can't remember ever writing about someone who was so charitable with his stroke-of-luck souvenirs.

So why did Lloyd give the baseballs up? And who did he give them to?

From MLB.com:

"I gave the Cozart one to my buddy since his uncle got us the tickets," Lloyd said. "He was the reason I was here. The Leake ball, I gave it back, because I knew it was Leake's first Major League home run. I just want to meet him and shake his hand."

The power of Christian Lopez compelled him!

It also not like Lloyd didn't sustain any damage while collecting the baseballs. While Cozart's ball came to him off a carom, the drive by Leake required a bit more suffering.

"The first one, I actually barehanded," Lloyd said. "It hit my hand. It didn't expect I'd actually catch it. I never caught a home run ball. I caught it and it like bounced off the palm of my hand, and I just reached out and grabbed it. It hurt really bad. I don't recommend doing it again."

At any rate, Lloyd's generosity without a second thought should be lauded.

But it shouldn't come as any surprise for those who saw his later interview with Reds broadcasters. Possessing great manners and a fantastic outlook on life for anyone (not just a college student), Lloyd not only did his mother proud (he namechecked and praised her on television) but also Thomas More College, where he just completed his junior year.

Between the homers and the giveaway, thanks for three great highlights, Caleb.

Want more baseball fun all season long?
Follow @bigleaguestew, @KevinKaduk and the BLS Facebook page!