As part of our celebration of America 250, MLB's content team has created 25 top 10 lists that capture the plays, people, rituals and moments that make baseball America’s game. We’ll be revealing five lists per week over the course of five weeks.
1. The flip. The dive. The throw. Derek Jeter did it all
2001 ALDS Game 3 vs. Athletics; July 1, 2004 vs. Red Sox; 1998 ALCS Game 1 vs. Cleveland
Famous defensive plays are a big part of Derek Jeter's legacy. In the 1998 ALCS, he made an impressive jump-throw from the edge of the outfield. In the 2001 ALDS, Jeter saved the day by racing toward first base to field an errant relay throw and flipping the ball to the plate. And in a 2004 game against the rival Red Sox, Jeter leapt headfirst into the stands to make a key catch in the 12th inning.
2. Brooks Robinson shows off his arm in 1970 Fall Classic
1970 World Series Game 1 vs. Reds
Brooks Robinson's epic play to retire Cincinnati's Lee May during Game 1 of the 1970 World Series is just one example of the 16-time Gold Glover in action. After picking up May's grounder well behind the bag at third, Robinson unleashed a perfect off-balance strike from foul territory to get the out at first base. He was named the 1970 World Series MVP as the Orioles beat the Reds in five games.
3. Ozzie Smith shows off his wizardry at shortstop
April 20, 1978, vs. Braves; Aug. 29, 1992, vs. Dodgers
Ozzie Smith made some eye-popping plays during his 19-year career. As a Padres rookie in 1978, he dived and snagged a grounder up the middle with his bare hand before getting up and firing to first base for the out. And in 1992 with the Cardinals, he jumped OVER a Dodgers baserunner to complete a double play. The 13-time Gold Glover earned the nickname "The Wizard of Oz" for his incredible glove.
4. Asdrúbal Cabrera turns the coolest 1-6-3 double play you'll ever see
May 19, 2011, vs. White Sox
With some awe-inspiring instincts and a little bit of flair, Asdrúbal Cabrera helped turn a quite unusual 1-6-3 double play. Omar Vizquel's liner was deflected by pitcher Joe Smith, and it caromed toward Cabrera, who reached back to snag the baseball with his bare hand. That would have been impressive enough, but Cabrera then flung the ball behind his back to second base to start a double play.
5. David Wright goes all out for an awesome barehanded snag
Aug. 9, 2005, vs. Padres
David Wright couldn't help but crack a smile after an amazing barehanded snag during a 2005 game against the Padres at Petco Park. Just 22 years old at the time, the Mets third baseman raced backward to track down a broken-bat blooper, but the catch he made was anything but typical. Wright stretched out his throwing hand and made a great barehanded grab before crashing to the ground.
6. Mark Buehrle takes a tumble -- and still makes a wild play
April 5, 2010, vs. Cleveland
Pitchers aren't always willing to put their bodies on the line to make defensive plays, but Mark Buehrle once risked it all to make a tremendous putout. After a hard ground ball caromed off his foot and into foul territory, the White Sox lefty raced across the first-base line to snag it. He then flicked the ball through his legs with his mitt while tumbling to the grass, and first baseman Paul Konerko made a barehanded snag.
7. A no-look tag? Only 'El Mago,' Javier Báez
2017 World Baseball Classic vs. Dominican Republic
The celebration began early for Javier Báez and Team Puerto Rico after catching Nelson Cruz of the Dominican Republic stealing to end the eighth inning of a 2017 World Baseball Classic game. Báez pointed toward catcher Yadier Molina in exuberance while putting a no-look tag on Cruz for the final out of the frame. It was an electric play by Báez, who earned the nickname "El Mago" -- "The Magician."
8. Chase Utley's heads-up play helped win a World Series
2008 World Series Game 5 vs. Rays
Most players wouldn't have the presence of mind to pull off the play Phillies second baseman Chase Utley made during Game 5 of the 2008 World Series against the Rays. After fielding a ground ball up the middle with Jason Bartlett on second and two outs in the seventh inning, Utley faked a throw to first to bait Bartlett into attempting to score, only to spin and cut down Bartlett at the plate.
9. Blink, and you'll miss this SMOOTH Kolten Wong play
June 23, 2019, vs. Angels
Kolten Wong proved to be a master of glove flips during his 11-year MLB career, but none was more impressive than one he made against the Angels in 2019. The Cardinals second baseman ranged to his right to handle a tailor-made double-play ball, but he barely even had the baseball in his glove before flipping it to shortstop Paul DeJong, who threw to first base to complete a smooth double play.
10. From the dive to the throw, this Nolan Arenado play was special
June 15, 2013, vs. Phillies
Nolan Arenado won a Gold Glove Award in each of his first 10 MLB seasons, and this play from his rookie year is a good example of why. Playing in on the grass with the pitcher up, the third baseman made an all-out dive to snag a high chopper, and even after landing on his backside, he was still able to make the play. Still sitting down, Arenado fired across the diamond to get an impressive out.
Honorable Mentions
Keith Hernandez starts Mets' wild 3-5-4 double play: Watch >
Roberto Alomar robs Lenny Dykstra with a diving catch in 1993 WS: Watch >
Miami turns "Grand Illusion" hidden-ball trick at 1982 College World Series: Watch >
Joe Mauer hustles to tag out runner at home: Watch >
Dustin Pedroia's wild play nabs runner at first: Watch >
Matt Chapman makes over-the-shoulder diving grab in left field: Watch >
Gio Urshela snags foul pop before tumbling into dugout: Watch >
Brandon Phillips' behind-the-back flip starts DP: Watch >
Twins' decoy play baffles Lonnie Smith in 1991 WS: Watch >
Todd Helton pulls off hidden-ball trick: Watch >
Graig Nettles' diving stop saves runs in 1978 WS: Watch >
Ken Caminiti lands cross-diamond throw from seat of his pants: Watch >
Rey Ordonez's sliding snag and tumbling throw: Watch >
Brandon Phillips goes between the legs to get the runner: Watch >