“El Mago” translates to The Magician, which sounds just about right for Javy Baez’s nickname. The things he does out there on a nightly basis … to put it in the words of Anthony Rizzo: it’s magic. It’s magic.
Anyway, tonight’s dose of Javy’s magic came on a well-struck grounder to his backhand side at shortstop, back when the Reds were threatening with a couple runners on and only one out.
Perhaps Baez would be able to turn the play into an out somehow? He’s awfully good, after all.
Nope. Javy’s gonna turn it into two outs:
Javy brought his big boy glove to the ballpark again! His double play keeps the shutout going.
Watch here: https://t.co/Jvy4jHB7Gq pic.twitter.com/Nr6A3Cbgb0
— Cubs Talk (@CSNCubs) August 24, 2017
Just to get an out on that Votto grounder was impressive. But to spin backward and release quickly and accurately enough to give Ben Zobrist some time to turn the double play? (Also, kudos to Zobrist for an excellent turn.)
That’s not just impressive. It’s El Mago.
Let’s watch a replay:
Replays of the Javier Baez spin pic.twitter.com/DwDLuiA6wx
— â“‚arcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 24, 2017