Best defensive play in MLB history?

Question

Many would say Willie Mays catch was the greatest and some would argue that Ozzie Smith's bare handed grab at short was the best ever, but I have to go with Jim Edmonds and his over the head dive to catch the ball in centerfield when he was with the Angels was the best ever. Let me know.

Answer 1

Kirby Puckett had a game saving catch in the 1991 World Series as he pulled back a potential home run that might have allowed the Braves to win game 6 and the series. I think the importance of the play can be more significant than how spectacular it was.

Answer 2

It was Mays' catch. Not because it was a more spectacular catch, but because it was a better play. It was better because:

1. He caught the ball on a flat-out sprint to center field.
2. His back was to the plate when he caught it.
3. The catch was made over 430-feet from home plate. This would have been over most center field fences.
4. There was a runner on second base (Cleveland legend Larry Doby) who was unable to score because Mays immediately spun and threw back to the infield. This kept the go ahead run from scoring.

If it's just what was a better catch: Edmonds' catch was more spectacular. Heck, it was even in color!

Answer 3

OZZIE SMITH

Ozzie smith's diving barehanded play. Check it out.

Some other notables include Gary Mathews Junior's over the wall catch last year. David Wrights barehanded flyball catch. And the best playoff defensive play ever, Endy Chavez's over the wall catch.

Each of these is incredible but Ozzie's is the best.

Willie Mays' catch at the Polo Grounds is spectacular as well

Answer 4

my answer involves other California Angels, but not Jim Edmonds. you have to go back many many years and look this one up, sometime in the early 80's if memory serves me.
this one involves two above average outfielders. a ball is hit to the wall in center field and just as the ball reaches the wall Freddie Lynn and Brian Downing hit the wall simultaneously and collide but somehow Fred Lynn comes away with the catch. they played this on all sorts of sport programs of the time for nearly a year (IE this week in baseball, ESPN, etc)

Answer 5

With 100+ years of baseball, it is a monumental task of pinpointing 1 play. For the 2009 year, I will have to say it was Bruntlett's unassisted triple play that ended the Phillies vs. Mets game in August. That equates to some great defensive skills.

Answer 6

I agree with you about the Edmonds catch. That's the greatest thing I've ever seen.
A close second (for me) was one that I was in attedence for. It's the classic Griffey catch at Yankee stadium, where he jumped up on the wall with one foot, and launched himself about five feet over the top of the wall to snatch what would have Jesse Barfield's third homer of the game. The was just PHENOMENAL!

Answer 7

Omar Vizquel and Ozzie Smith have enough of those plays to last a lifetime. They didn't make THE best play in history, but they have made quite a few.

Answer 8

Well. . .yes, those are all spectacular. Mickey Mantle also flagged down a fly ball during Don Larsen's perfect game, but. . .what about the 13 unassisted triple plays? There was one this year by the Rockies' shortstop with the unpronounceable name.

Answer 9

I'm kind of surprised that no one here seemed to watch a game of baseball last year if u didn't see Gary Matthew Jr's catch over the wall. okay May's catch was good but he wasn't climbing a fence when he was doing it!! It was sick end of discussion

Answer 10

Last season in CIN -- Ryan Freel comes out of nowhere (literally) to make a diving catch at the RC wall when the CF was content to play it off the wall. UNBELIEVEABLE!