Here’s my usual Cardinals-did-something stupid disclaimer: We, here at Baseball is Fun, love to provide fair, un-biased coverage of everything that happens in Major League Baseball … except when it happens to the Cardinals. Then we like to have a good laugh.
In case you missed the madness from last night’s Cardinals’ game, the Red Sox walked it off in the bottom of the ninth inning, because Cardinals’ hero – and fan-anointed Greatest Catcher in the History of the Universe – Yadier Molina was unable to hold onto the ball on a game-winning/ending play at the plate:
The Red Sox Walked Off on the Cardinals As Yadier Molina Dropped the Ball https://t.co/9wdhG26FX8 pic.twitter.com/vJOk956m9M
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) August 17, 2017
Head –> buried.
But maybe none of that would’ve ever happened if it weren’t for this ridiculous play at the plate earlier in the game.
Let me take you there: In the top of the second inning, Matt Carpenter led off from third base with just one out and a 4-0 Cardinals lead. At that point, Tommy Pham hit a line-drive single to center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and Matt Carpenter easily trotted in to score from third base …
Except no, he didn’t. Bradley threw him out. From center. On a single. With Carpenter at THIRD FREAKIN’ BASE.
Take a look for yourself:
Test JBJ.
We dare you. pic.twitter.com/RAhxQhVHOM— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 17, 2017
Now, if you might be thinking well, Michael, he had to hold up to make sure it dropped, and, sure, okay, I get that. But being a runner in “scoring position” means you usually score from second base on a single to the outfield, let alone an additional 90 feet head-start from third.
Of course, that play is equal parts embarrassing for Carpenter and down-right impressive from JBJ. Indeed, Statcast clocked that 254 foot throw (on a fly, mind you) at 95.8 MPH(!). So it took something pretty special to get him, but that makes it all the more fun.
And in a game the Cardinals wound up losing by a run, well … Like I said, I’m having a good laugh.