WATCH: Baez makes Dodgers look stupid with unbelievable juke move |
Javier Baez is the gift that keeps on giving, and, in Tuesday's Chicago Cubs-Los Angeles Dodgers matchup, the superstar Cubs infielder provided fans with the gift of a baseball highlight fit for a football game. Baez channeled his inner wide receiver by juking the living daylights out of Dodgers first baseman David Freese and fully showcasing why his "El Mago" nickname is so fitting.
For years now, MLB hitters have attempted to fake out first basemen attempting to apply tags after fielding dribblers hit to the first-base side. However, most of those attempts have been futile. Baez was somehow able to pull it off, though, making his classic swim-move slides at second base seem like cake. Baez stopped in his tracks after flying up the first-base line and sidestepped onto the edge of the infield grass to avoid the outstretched glove of a charging Freese. The first-base umpire gave Baez the benefit of the doubt on the base-running maneuver that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts contested was out of the baseline, and Baez, who capped off the eventful play with a flashy, unnecessary dive toward the bag, was thereby credited with the most compelling single of his career. A man has many names. #ElMago #EverybodyIn @FellowesBrands pic.twitter.com/F9WZqbQNRK Billy Hamilton made a similar play back in 2014: Two exceptional displays of athleticism on the basepaths.....so, who did it better? pic.twitter.com/HLUQJsUhfE