This Has to be the Luckiest Behind-the-Back, No-Look Toss

Behind-the-back tosses are almost always one of the most unexpectedly exciting plays in any sport (especially soccer!). That’s probably because, nine times out of ten (source: stats.com.org.gov), behind-the-back throws usually come after a player has made some sort of mistake, or the play is seemingly impossible to complete otherwise.

A few years back, for one example, Mark Buehrle completed one of the most famous no-look flips at first base against the Indians. Check it out:

There have been plenty of behind-the-back tosses since then, but none have dethroned Buehrle’s throw, in my humble opinion, for the best of all time.

That is until Chase Utley did this last night:

After biffing the (originally) routine grounder, the ball gets passed a stumbling Utley. But with plenty of time left, he bare hands it, and makes a perfect (and seriously long) flip to Adrian Gonzalez at first base for the out.

For me, the sheer distance between Utley and Gonzalez is what makes this play far more impressive, exciting, and unexpected than Buehrle’s, but what do you think? Who’s was better?

[Brett: For me, it’s still Buehrle’s play because of the ground he had to cover to get the ball, then go between the legs with the glove. But the Utley play is truly nuts.]

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Hector Neris Has Four Straight Saves, But I Don’t Think He Can Stay in That Role Much Longer

I don't want to get into too much exposition here on the history, so I'll try to keep this brief: Despite blowing just three saves last season, Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay had already let four games slip away by April...

Cubs Injury Updates: Justin Steele, Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, Julian Merryweather

Last night, Megan Montemurro (before the game) and Taylor McGregor (on the broadcast), provided a series of updates on five key Cubs players on the injured list: Justin Steele, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Hendricks, and Julian Merryweather. I know...

The Chicago Cubs Have Set a New Franchise Wins Record

Sure, sure, you have to get to the context quickly enough, but for a moment, it's just fun to appreciate that we've seen Cubs history this month. With last night's dramatic win, the Cubs set a new franchise record for...

MLBits: Let’s Fix the ASG Uniforms, Mike Trout on His Up-and-Down Start, Brice Turang’s Leap, More

MLB Notes — MLB, Fanatics, and Nike have committed to fixing some of the more egregious mistakes they made in designing their new "performance wear" Nike Vapor Premier uniforms in Major League Baseball. Among other things, the undersized numbers that...

Cubs Farm Report | April 30, 2024: Stars of the Week

The Cubs minor league affiliates were off on Monday, so it's time to take stock of some of the recent hot performers down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 30, 2024 Triple-A Iowa...

The First Place Cubs, Banking Wins, Taillon Delivers, Morel, Murray, and Other Cubs Bullets

Don't forget, Mother's Day is less than two weeks away (May 12). If you're looking for an easy win, we have a partnership with Gourmet Gift Baskets that should do the trick. Hope that helps. Don't look now, but ......

Cade Horton is Reportedly Being Promoted to Triple-A Iowa

THERE it is. It felt like it should be coming for a long time (I couldn't help but discuss it multiple times), and now it's here: top Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton is getting the bump to the next...

The Brewers Lost on a Rare – But Correct! – Batter Interference Call

You no doubt remember that crazy Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS, with the Cubs rallying to beat the Nationals and then holding on at the end. Freaking awesome game. The Cubs probably shouldn't have won it, though. The part...

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Turn a Near No-Hit Loss Into a Thrilling Win

On the heels of a disappointing weekend in Boston, the Chicago Cubs were on the verge of an especially disappointing first night in New York. Mets starter Luis Severino was no-hitting them into the 8th inning. Ugly. But not only...

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Mets 1 – April 29, 2024

The Chicago Cubs didn't have a hit until the 8th inning tonight. And they finished the game with just three hits total. BUT ONE OF THOSE HITS WAS A GO-AHEAD ... GAME-WINNING ... TWO-RUN HOME RUN for Christopher Morel off...

Latest News

Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

On Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers meet the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires only one trifecta.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Donovan Mitchell needs to make three 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Cleveland Cavaliers meet the Orlando Magic on Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET, in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Tyrese Haliburton Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tyrese Haliburton's Indiana Pacers face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point prop, he needs to make three from beyond the arc.Tyrese...

Pascal Siakam Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

On Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET, the Indiana Pacers face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Pascal Siakam's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Pascal Siakam's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Franz Wagner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Franz Wagner's Orlando Magic play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he needs to make two from beyond the arc.Franz...

Myles Turner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Myles Turner's Indiana Pacers meet the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point prop, he needs to make three from beyond the arc.Myles...

Bobby Portis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – NBA Playoffs Game 5, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

At 9:30 PM ET on Tuesday, in Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Milwaukee Bucks versus the Indiana Pacers, with Bobby Portis needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bobby Portis' Three-Pointer Prop...

Pirates vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tyler Nevin leads the Oakland Athletics (13-17) into Tuesday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates (14-16) on a two-game homer streak. His Athletics are underdogs for the contest, however, with oddsmakers naming the Pirates as -137 moneyline favorites. The game starts...

Phillies vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Alec Bohm seeks to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Philadelphia Phillies (19-11) take on the Los Angeles Angels (11-18) and Nolan Schanuel, who has a 10-game hit streak of his own. The Phillies are listed as -143 favorites...

Braves vs. Mariners Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Ozzie Albies (12 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Atlanta Braves (19-8) and Seattle Mariners (16-13) meet Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, live on BSSO from T-Mobile Park. Albies and the Braves are favored by...

more cubs news

Latest News