The loud crack sent Aaron Hicks into motion toward the wall in left-center field, his legs churning violently on what he described as "a do-or-die play." As his chest thudded hard against the warning track, he nestled the baseball securely in his glove, acquiring a mouthful of dirt in the process.
Hicks' incredible catch stole an extra-base hit and sealed a wild 14-12, 10-inning Yankees victory over the Twins last July 24 at Target Field, in what immediately became a contender for the best game of the year across Major League Baseball.
"It was a great game by both sides," Hicks said. "It was probably one of the most fun games I’ve ever played. So many lead changes, just a lot happening. And it was fun."
New York trailed, 8-2, after four innings. There were five ties or lead changes, the last of which was provided by Gleyber Torres' run-scoring single in the top of the 10th.
Adam Ottavino walked the bases loaded in the home half of the frame, and the Twins' Max Kepler sent all three runners in motion, barreling a 96.9 mph fastball from Chad Green toward the wall.
Fortunately for the Yanks, Hicks said he had noticed catcher Austin Romine was set up outside, prompting Hicks to shade a few steps to his right. That adjustment made all the difference in helping Hicks rob Kepler, whose expected batting average on that particular ball was .560, based on the exit velocity and launch angle.
In the Twins’ clubhouse, Kepler grumbled, "You do everything right and it gets caught," while the Yanks’ Didi Gregorius -- who finished the evening 5-for-5 with seven RBIs, including the 100th homer of his career -- lauded Hicks' grab as the best he had ever seen to end a game.
"It was fun, every minute of it," Aaron Judge said. "Even going down and them taking the lead, that was fun. Who wants it more? Who is going to step up and deliver the big hit for us? Guy after guy continued to do that. That’s what championship teams are made of.”
Senior Reporter Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007.