I teased the following play earlier today in Last Night’s Highlights, but I didn’t decide to include it there. Instead, I thought it was worth sharing all on its own, so here we are.
Last night, White Sox second baseman Tyler Saladino ranged far back and to his left to snare a well-struck two-hopper in short right-center field. However, the ball took Saladino with him, as he slid backwards further into the outfield, before making his throw to first from his stomach.
Check it out:
Smooth, Sally. Real smooth. pic.twitter.com/gK5wCEdoEy
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 23, 2016
Most of the time, I prefer GIFS, but I will point you in the direction of the full video here. It plays a little better with the sound/slow-motion replays.
Now, that wasn’t the single craziest play I’ve ever seen – or anything close to it – but it is pretty damn impressive, right? Getting to and cleanly fielding that ball was difficult enough, but to keep his focus while sliding backwards and to get just enough on that throw to make it to first in time from his belly? Not very easily done.
I’m impressed, Mr. Saladino, very impressed.