For his next act, baseball magician Javy Baez used sleight of hand to avoid a tag and steal third base
On the diamond, Javy Baez can do just about anything. The Cubs' flashy infielder has a knack for the type of play that makes you do a double-take, rewind the tape and get another look. Just how does he do these things?
Well, the question remains after his latest unbelievable on-field feat, this time coming in Monday's emotional World Baseball Classic showdown between the Netherlands and Puerto Rico.
The setting: Baez, perched on second base in the fourth inning, took off for third in a steal attempt. The ball beat him, but he wound up the victor (after a replay review overturned an initial out call):
If that slide seems familiar, there's a reason. This isn't the first time Baez has evaded a would-be sure-thing out with some inventive hand movement. It's part of his brand at this point, and works in concert with his ability to make slick, no-look glove-tags seem like no big deal at all.
And, given how Monday night's play went down, Baez and
Baez can probably also talk dancing with "Dancing with the Stars" breakout phenomenon
By the time the dust had settled, Puerto Rico prevailed over the Netherlands, 4-3, in 11 innings, to move on to the championship game on Wednesday night (9 p.m. ET on MLB Network/MLB.TV).
