I’m having an extremely difficult time expressing how impressive this play is, because it shows an entirely different type of athletic ability than we’re used to seeing.
Compared to home run robberies, diving plays, amazing stretches, etc., this play by Vince Velasquez isn’t quite as athletically inspiring, but the overall impressiveness and body control is entirely off the charts.
Here’s the short version: With two outs in the second inning, Velasquez, a right-handed pitcher for the Phillies, took a line drive directly off his right-arm and watched the ball dribble away. Then, with clear and obvious pain in his throwing arm, he runs over to the ball, fields it, and fires to first in time … USING HIS LEFT HAND!
Take a looK:
Vince Velasquez took a liner off his right arm and ended up getting the out by throwing with his left arm 👏
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/1JAdDZXEjQ
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 30, 2018
I mean … WUT!?
Vince Velasquez is a damn legend. pic.twitter.com/SlGfXD7ZiL
— thanksgifing (@VanHicklestein) June 30, 2018
And as you can see, he was clearly in a lot of pain, so that’s an entirely other angle to the madness. I don’t know where that ranks on top plays of the year, but it’s definitely one of the most memorable, unique things I’ve ever seen on a baseball field.