Derek Jacques pointed me to this a beautiful example of heads-up, if unsuccessful, cheating.
In yesterday’s Yankees @ Mets game, in top of the 6th, the Yankees have Jeter at first and Posada batting, with one out (the AB starts about 5m into the top of the 6th).
Posada hits a line drive, Reyes snags it in his glove, and clearly has control of it as he raises it and grabs it with his hand, then almost sets it down on the infield as he reaches all the way down to put the ball into the dirt, as — well he’s hoping it’s as if he dropped it. He lets it roll a few inches, picks it back up, and throws to second.
What he realized might happen, in that split-second after snaring it, is that if he dropped it, he could get the force on Jeter at second and possibly even start a double play to get two. The worst thing that could happen if the force is on is they replace Jeter, a good baserunner, with Posada, who is slow.
Fortunately for the rule of law, the second base umpire got a good look it, ruled the catch was made, and Jeter returned to first safely.
Like framing the pitch, or the good tag, or when outfielders trap the ball and hold it up as if they’ve caught it, Reyes made an attempt to deceive the umpires to help his team. It’s dishonest, and baseball has a rich tradition of plays just like this. Reyes had the right idea. Maybe next time he’ll make it look a lot better, or catch the umpire not paying as close attention, and help his team through deception.
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