By now, I’m sure you’ve seen the play. Yes, the unfortunate mishap that made for one of the few times the national sports media will discuss the Pirates between now and draft day. If you’re one of the lucky few but would like to join the club, well, feast your eyes …
Javier Báez.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 27, 2021
El Mago.
The Magician. pic.twitter.com/yZX7HgUFCU
It’s important to note that there were, in fact, two outs on this play. No matter what could have happened when the rundown started between first and home -- seriously, that happened -- getting someone to step on the first base bag would have prevented all of this. Tag here, tag there, cover this, cover that. No. There’s one right answer, and that’s what makes this such a terrible play.
Even worse was that it became a decisive moment in a game the Pirates’ eventually lost 5-3. Bad as this was, it might have been easier to stomach had the Pirates come back and prevented their losing skid from reaching six games.
Some outlets are trying to credit Javier Baez’s supernatural power for this play, but, while it was quite clever, it required a pretty significant mental lapse from his opposition to actually work. Fortunately for El Mago, Will Craig and the Pirates were up to the task.
Anyway, was this as low as it gets? Not in terms of the Pirates’ season, there’s still plenty of time to reach that point in 2021, though this play should be a strong contender by year’s end.
YOUR TURN: In terms of sports’ worst plays, gaffes, bloopers, blunders and bad decisions, where does Thursday’s play rank? Not only in the games you’ve seen on TV. But have you ever done or seen something this embarrassing on a field, rink or court? Don’t tell us any names, and please be nice about it -- especially if you’re sharing a story from a Pee Wee or Little League.