Best Defensive MLB Play OAT?

26 comments

1. Pudge Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, or Ozzie Smith.

2. Do you know how hard it is to pick just one play when you grew up watching Ozzie Smith?

   [https://youtu.be/y7j_LYSMxcs?si=sotUp4x1iFOjhU2n](https://youtu.be/y7j_LYSMxcs?si=sotUp4x1iFOjhU2n)

3. Best one I ever saw when it happened was Endy Chavez. High stakes:

   https://youtu.be/5EaEQVKIDGU?si=zvZKFs-yKxjUn8Ad

4. Clear bias, but I always loved this one:

   https://youtu.be/s5ZlGme4Eh8?si=IncxwRdasIISgsiF

5. Willie Mays. The Catch in the 1954 World Series.

   https://youtu.be/7bLt2xKaNH0?si=thCx-cKV7wtzfva-

6. This one is from this year, but I absolutely loved it. MH2, almost leaving the field:

   https://youtu.be/3WXNnvGhdEM?si=vcr8yz_l6Uouuxs5

7. Dewayne Wise, tremendous catch but given the circumstances it makes it even better

   https://youtu.be/kk9nLy-A0qI?si=jlTWAHuyJN9UTAV2

8. https://youtu.be/eB9wi_zvMdM?feature=shared

   Bo Jackson throwing out Reynolds

   Or Caminiti throwing from his arse across his body

   https://youtu.be/_ZqooXkzisI?feature=shared

9. Greatest all-star game play I can think of:

   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XHZbhR9qc

10. Here is a zero to hero moment: I think this is up there with the Jackson, Clemente, and Cespades throws as greatest of all time throws.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DFAbXnlzZGQ

11. Four words: Junior in the Kingdome. Ill show myself out

12. Not a big name or moment but gary mathews jrs spinning backhanded catch way up in the clouds was the wildest catch i ever saw.

13. It’s literally between Jim Edmonds or Ozzie Smith Barehanded play and it’s not even close

14. Austin Jackson full extension flipping over the wall

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxJQfLeF1Q&pp=ygUcYXVzdGluIGphY2tzb24gcm9icyBob21lIHJ1bg%3D%3D

15. Bias but Chris Taylor 2018 NLCS

    [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hZrsNeCA4&ab_channel=AndrewTavani](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hZrsNeCA4&ab_channel=AndrewTavani)

    Honorable Chris Taylor mention below:

    [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsqPo-G0U_w&ab_channel=Jo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsqPo-G0U_w&ab_channel=Jo)

16. One time about 15 years ago, Mark Ellis was running out from 2B to track a fly ball. The CF (Kotsay, maybe?) was running in, and it was clear the ball was going to drop between them. Suddenly, a blur flashed across the screen and the ball disappeared. The camera pans over about 15 ft and Nick Swisher is lying on the grass fully stretched out holding up the ball in his glove.

    I can never find the clip when I look for it. If anyone has it, please share!

17. It’s either Mays’ catch or Clemente’s cannon in the world series when he was 37 lol.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4-ppVcEvGMI?feature=share

18. Kevin Mitchell

19. https://youtu.be/MWCvCTR3o3g?si=6ZpkP7YoqWGKY5uh

    Gary matthews jr

20. Yes, that Edmonds catch to me is THE BEST

21. I was watching this game live on TV so it’s the best I’ve seen in that regard, but the Cespedes throw to nail (Howie Kendrick, I think) at the plate was incredible.

22. That is the exact play I reference when I point to the best catch ever made by an outfielder

23. Brooks Robinson 1970 World Series

24. Jose Canseco. Not normally thought of for his defensive prowess.
    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DQixQMUu4CKI&ved=2ahUKEwj4zo313Y-KAxUOEFkFHUCVFuoQwqsBegQIDhAG&usg=AOvVaw0qvszSFMa92jAVVnRvreq5

25. Recency bias, but damn Matt Chapman…https://youtu.be/KlLnsNS6we0

26. A lot of great plays here by amazing athletes but I’m partial to Kevin Mitchell’s bare-handed over the shoulder grab in St. Louis.

    Here’s an honorable mention with Ramòn Laureano doubling up a runner from the left field gap (and great deke by Mark Canha at 1st):

    https://www.mlb.com/video/must-c-laureano-s-321-ft-throw-c2374927983