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Fuld's return to Trop evokes memory of '11 catch

ST. PETERSBURG -- Sam Fuld is in town with his new team, the Twins, prompting Rays manager Joe Maddon to reflect on the catch Fuld made on April 9, 2011, in Chicago against the White Sox.

"It was pretty spectacular," the Rays' manager said.

Juan Pierre hit for the White Sox with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth. Pierre connected on one of Wade Davis' offerings and drove the ball into the corner near the wall in right field. Fuld gave chase before leaving his feet at the last instant to make the diving, back-handed catch on the warning track.

"That one there, airborne, into gravel, head going into the wall," Maddon said. "At a moment when we really did need it. All that stuff was there, and I would hope that as they play back the greatest catches of all time that that would be included."

A.J. Pierzynski was the White Sox catcher that day and noted of the play: "Honestly, he ran like 50 yards to get to that ball. It was an incredible catch, and I tip my hat to him for, one, he didn't kill himself on the fence and, two, he got there and made the play. It was an amazing play."

Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Tampa Bay Rays, Sam Fuld