A lot has happened at this year's Summer Games Done Quick speedrunning showcase, and there's a lot left to come. But I really don't think any part of it is going to top this: Peanut Butter the speedrunning dog, whose appearance at Summer Games Done Quick last night left me thoroughly baffled until I figured out that he is literally a dog, finished his Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball "win a game" speedrun with a walk-off home run in extra innings.
SGDQ issued a warning in advance that access to this particular run would be restricted once it began to ensure "the most comfortable environment," which makes a lot more sense when you realize the speedrunner in question is, in fact, the shiba inu who previously completed a Gyromite run at Awesome Games Done Quick in January. The puppy is not unprecedented.
Can a dog play baseball? I can only assume that someone checked into it and determined there ain't no rule says he can't. But he does require a little help: Peanut Butter uses a modified controller for the job, which is basically a big button (done up like a baseball, naturally) that PB bops as guided by speedrunning partner JSR_. So it's not conventional gameplay in the strictest sense, but on the other hand Peanut Butter does not have thumbs or an evolved prefrontal cortex. I'd call it a fair balance, all in all.
You will probably not be surprised to hear that the house was packed:
Play ball! It's the moment you (and a full house in-person) have been waiting for: Peanut Butter (and his human, @JSR2gamers) are going to be speedrunning Ken Griffey Jr. Presents MLB at #SGDQ2024!https://t.co/vc924hZcyM pic.twitter.com/mvqco047NlJuly 5, 2024
The doggo went down by one in the early innings of the game but, despite a baserunning error that cost an out, managed to manufacture a couple runs in the sixth to take the lead.
Down 1-0 early, PB has taken the lead in the bottom of the 6th! We're in the 7th inning stretch at #SGDQ2024; don't miss the conclusion!https://t.co/umiMSaefOZ pic.twitter.com/IelHfXYeMWJuly 5, 2024
But it wasn't over: Minnesota came back to tie the game and send it into extra innings, tied at three-all. Finally, in the bottom of the 12th, Peanut Butter hit a rope down the right-field line to set up the winning run with one out. But small ball to get the runner over was not the plan: With the next batter—none other than Griffey Jr. himself—Peanut Butter hit a monster shot over the left field wall to bring in two, winning the game 5-3 and completing the run.
An extra innings walk-off 2-run home run on the first pitch does it! PB gets the win (and is a very good boy!) #SGDQ2024 pic.twitter.com/qCnEjL8MwQJuly 5, 2024
The crowd, needless to say, went wild.
ケングリフィーJr.のサヨナラ2ランホームランで劇的勝利！PB君、ナイスラン🐕🐕 #SGDQ2024 #SGDQとんこツアー pic.twitter.com/wmjfltxfK7July 5, 2024
The time of 29:48 was well behind Peanut Butter's previous mark of 21:22, set in January. Even so, everyone agreed the very good boy was the hero of the day. "I am so proud of this dog, man," JSR_ tweeted after the run was finished. "This is the greatest moment of both of our lives. What a doggo."
Peanut Butter even got to sign the wall.
Peanut Butter signed the wall :) #SGDQ2024 pic.twitter.com/DcRoe1uMi8July 5, 2024
This is obviously a highlight, but it's not the only big thing to happen at this year's SGDQ: Games Done Quick also announced yesterday that it has now surpassed $50 million raised for charity by GDQ events. And there's still lots to see in this one: Summer Games Done runs until July 7 and has upcoming speedruns of games including Metal Gear Solid 4, Levelhead, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring.
You can watch Peanut Butter's full SGDQ 2024 speedrun below:
