The 2B was playing on the other side of second due to being in a shift. So he was out of position.

The catcher deserves a lot of blame here. He should have been straight up pointing at first base the entire time. Hell, he could have ran over and covered first base himself to make the point even stronger. Why the fuck is he worried about Contreras? But he saw Contreras running at him and panicked as badly as the rookie 1B.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

The 1B gets the blame. It was a hilarious play, and credit to Baez for taking advantage of another team's blunder. Calling it magic or Brilliance is just another instance of Cubbie overlove that were used to out of Wrigleyville.

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Baez can be pretty frustrating at times but he has made some of the most entertaining plays on the bases of all time. I was surprised this was even legal. I did a little college softball coaching and there was a rule that a batter must either run to first or freeze on their way to first. If they retreat at all towards home plate they are out and I believe the runner gets sent back. This would happen quite often when they had a runner on third and either ran a squeeze or a quick slap. If they hit it hard enough at a charging 1b then there was a good chance for a tag and then a put out at the plate or other base. If you saw this coming as the batter then you freeze and make them come get you to keep it to just one out while potentially advancing a runner.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Real fans aren't saying that.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

It was a clever move by Baez, but if the stupid 1B just steps on 1st it's all moot. It looked like a bad Little League play.

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Noon yesterday my sister texted me 'Did you see el mago!" I'm thinking its a homer, or a great fielding play. This simple screwup by the 1st basemen is fascinating. Look at Baez's moves (like he was dancing almost) shake & baking the 1st basemen. A tiny % of guys would fall for Baez's scam. And he found the guy.

Will Craig has played all his dozen or so MLB games at 1B. 418 total games at 1B college to pro. The guy should know better.

Boog & JD were terrific describing it. The Pittsburgh broadcast was very good. The pbp guy said run him to home, then tag him? He actually said said that. He and Bob Walk discussed it for a good 10 minutes afterwards. They also had a high wide angle shot showing Contreras' path.

Even a great catch you'll watch it once? Nothing to analyze. But this was a beast play. Fun to rewatch, hear varied opinions. Come on, this was true fun.