Summary
Major League Baseball is filled with incredible plays, but few are as exciting and awe-inspiring as a spectacular catch. Over the years, there have been countless memorable catches that have left fans and players alike in disbelief. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 MLB catches of all time.
10. Ichiro Suzuki’s Catch in 2005
In a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels in 2005, Ichiro Suzuki made a remarkable catch in right field to rob Garret Anderson of a potential home run. With the game tied in the top of the seventh inning, Anderson hit a deep fly ball to right field.
Suzuki raced back, leaped at the wall, and caught the ball before it went over the fence. The catch helped the Mariners secure a 5-4 win and is still considered one of the greatest defensive plays of the 2005 season.
9. Austin Jackson’s Catch in 2011
In a game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians in 2011, Austin Jackson made a spectacular catch in center field to rob Jack Hannahan of a potential home run. With a runner on first and one out in the top of the fifth inning, Hannahan hit a deep fly ball to center field.
Jackson raced back, leaped at the wall, and caught the ball before it went over the fence. The catch helped the Tigers secure a 10-1 win and is still considered one of the greatest defensive plays of the 2011 season.
8. Roberto Clemente’s Catch in the 1971 World Series
In Game 7 of the 1971 World Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles, Roberto Clemente made a remarkable catch to rob Davey Johnson of a potential extra-base hit. With two outs and a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth inning, Johnson hit a line drive down the right field line.
Clemente, who was playing deep, raced over and made a backhanded catch near the foul line to end the inning. The Pirates went on to win the game and eventually, the series, and Clemente’s catch is still remembered as one of the greatest defensive plays in World Series history.
7. Devon White’s Catch in the 1992 World Series
In Game 3 of the 1992 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves, Devon White made a spectacular catch in center field to rob David Justice of a home run. With the game tied in the top of the third inning, Justice hit a deep fly ball to center field that looked like it was going to be a home run.
However, White raced back, jumped at the wall, and caught the ball before it went over the fence. The Blue Jays went on to win the game and eventually, the series, and White’s catch is still considered one of the greatest defensive plays in World Series history.
6. Kevin Mitchell’s Catch in the 1986 World Series
In Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, Kevin Mitchell made a remarkable catch to rob Jim Rice of a potential home run. With the game tied in the top of the 10th inning and the Red Sox threatening, Rice hit a deep fly ball to left field.
Mitchell, who was playing out of position in left field, raced back and made a leaping catch at the wall to keep the game tied. The Mets went on to win the game and eventually, the series and Mitchell’s catch is still remembered as one of the greatest defensive plays in World Series history.
5. Spiderman Catch by Ender Inciarte in 2016
In a game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets in 2016, Ender Inciarte made a spectacular catch in center field that earned him the nickname “Spiderman.” With a runner on first and two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Inciarte chased down a deep fly ball hit by Yoenis Cespedes, leaped, and stuck his arm over the wall to make the catch. The catch prevented a potential game-tying home run and helped the Braves secure a 4-3 win.
4. Derek Jeter’s Diving Catch in the 2001 ALDS
Derek Jeter is known for his clutch performances, and his diving catch in the 2001 American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics is one of his most memorable plays.
In the top of the eighth inning with the Yankees leading 1-0 and the A’s threatening with runners on first and second, Jeter made a full-extension diving catch into the stands to rob Jeremy Giambi of a potential game-tying run. The catch is often referred to as “The Flip” and is considered one of the greatest catches of all time.
3. Ken Griffey Jr.’s Catch Against the Yankees in 1995
In a game against the New York Yankees in 1995, Ken Griffey Jr. made a remarkable catch in center field. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, the Yankees’ Ruben Sierra hit a deep fly ball to center field that looked like it was going to be a game-winning hit.
However, Griffey Jr. made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Sierra of a home run and end the game. The catch is often referred to as “The Leap” and is considered one of the greatest catches of all time.
2. Jim Edmonds’ Diving Catch in Game 7 of the 2004 NLCS
In Game 7 of the 2004 National League Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros, Jim Edmonds made one of the most incredible catches in postseason history.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with the game tied and the bases loaded, Edmonds sprinted back and to his left, dove, and caught a ball hit by Morgan Ensberg, robbing him of an extra-base hit and potentially saving the game for the Cardinals. The catch is often referred to as the “Edmonds Catch” and is considered one of the greatest catches of all time.
1. Willie Mays’ “The Catch”
No list of great catches would be complete without mentioning Willie Mays’ legendary catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series. In the eighth inning of a tied game, Mays made a sprinting, over-the-shoulder catch on a deep fly ball hit by Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians.
Mays’ catch not only prevented the go-ahead run from scoring but also turned the momentum in the Giants’ favor. The Giants went on to win the game and eventually the series and Mays’ catch is still considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history.
Conclusion
Over the years, Major League Baseball has produced countless incredible catches that have left fans and players alike in disbelief. From Willie Mays’ “The Catch” to Ichiro Suzuki’s catch in 2005, these plays have helped define the game of baseball and have cemented the legacies of the players who made them.
Whether it’s robbing a home run or making a diving catch into the stands, these plays remind us of the incredible athleticism and skill that is required to play at the highest level of professional baseball.
