Arizona defeats Rice with walk-off steal of home
Arizona wins game with walk-off steal of home
Bottom of the 9th, tie game, runners at second and third: what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?
Well, if you're University of Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman, you steal home. Because, why not?
Stealing home for the walk-off win? That's definitely Play of the Game material for @ArizonaBaseball #RICEvsAZ http://t.co/zJ7oqvhRqT
- Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) February 21, 2015The insanely risky steal gave Arizona an upset 7-6 victory over No. 17-ranked Rice.
After the game, the junior shortstop admitted that he called for the steal himself. So, he's rather lucky it worked out.
As for the play happening in the Majors, there have been a few notable instances. The 1964 Phillies, who blew a 6 1/2 game lead in 12 days, lost on a walk-off steal of home by the Dodgers' Willie Davis on Sept. 19. And Hall of Famers George Brett and Eddie Murray each pulled them off, in 1976 and '79, respectively.
Though it wasn't a walk-off, the not-quite-fleet-of-foot Murray stole home for the second time in his career in 1995.
But perhaps of the best walk-off steal came on Aug. 22, 1982. With the Giants and Cardinals tied at 4 in the bottom of the 12th inning, backup catcher Glenn Brummer stood on third base. Surely he wouldn't be sent, right?
The steal was one of only four in Brummer's career, the catcher getting nabbed eight other times. But that's the thing with swiping home -- it's only gotta work once.