10 Of The Greatest Catches In Major League Baseball History

Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke made perhaps the catch of the year to rob Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel of a home run this week. In this article, we’ll look back at some of the esteemed company Clarke joined with one of the greatest catches in MLB history.

While home runs and pitchers’ duels may get all the headlines, everybody loves a home run robbery or an incredible diving catch. In this article, we’ll look back at 10 of the greatest catches in Major League Baseball History.

10) A's CF Denzel Clarke Robs Nolan Schanuel

The most recent entry to the list is also the impetus for the article. 25-year-old Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke is making a name for himself as one of the most elite defensive players in baseball.

Unfortunately for Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, he learned this the hard way earlier this week when Clarke rose way above the outfield wall at Angel Stadium to pull back what looked like a surefire home run.

9) Torii Hunter Takes One Back From Barry Bonds In 2002 MLB All-Star Game

What happens when you match the greatest home run hitter of all time up against one of the greatest defensive center fielders the game has ever seen?

Well, at least on this occasion, the center fielder wins. Torii Hunter rose high over the right centerfield wall to rob Barry Bonds of a would-be home run in the 2002 MLB All-Star Game in Milwaukee.

Bonds then playfully ran toward Hunter, lifting him over his shoulder in disbelief.

8) Endy Chavez Skies To Rob Scott Rolen In Game 7 Of The 2006 NLCS

When you’re playing in Game 7 with a spot in the World Series on the line, every single run matters. In the 2006 NLCS, New York Mets outfielder Endy Chavez saved not one, but two runs when he leaped high over the outfield wall to rob future Hall of Famer Scott Rolen of a home run.

Rolen and the Cardinals would get the last laugh, however, scoring two runs in the ninth to win 3-1 en route to a series win and eventual World Series title.

7) Defensive Substitution Dwayne Wise Preserves Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game

There have been just 24 perfect games thrown in the entirety of MLB history. Had it not been for Dwayne Wise, that number would be 23.

The Chicago White Sox player was brought in as a defensive substitution in the ninth inning of Mark Buehrle’s 2010 perfect game bid against the Tampa Bay Rays. That decision proved fruitful as Wise perfectly tracked a ball off the bat of Gabe Kapler before leaping to rob a home run and save one of the great moments in baseball history.

6) Jim Edmonds Lays Out To Make A Diving Catch On Tal's Hill

When the Houston Astros moved from the AstroDome to their new stadium in 2000, the new field featured a unique feature – a large hill in center field.

Tal’s Hill, named for former team president Tal Smith, proved a nightmare for many a center fielder. But not for eight-time Gold Glove winner Jim Edmonds, who conquered the hill to make an incredible diving catch over his shoulder and take extra bases away from Eric Munson.

5) Aaron Rowand Sacrifices His Body For The Philadelphia Phillies

Aaron Rowand played just two of his 10 MLB seasons in Philadelphia. But with one play, he made himself a legend in the city.

On May 11, 2006, he made a sprinting catch to rob Xavier Nady of the New York Mets of three RBIs. The catch itself was impressive, but what came immediately after was even more so.

Rowand’s momentum sent him careening into the outfield fencing, breaking his nose and causing several facial lacerations. When asked by media members why he did it, Rowand gave the iconic response: “For who? My teammates. For what? To win. That’s what it’s all about.”

4) Kirby Puckett Skies To Rob Ron Gant In The 1991 World Series

The Minnesota Twins’ most recent World Series victory came in 1991 when they beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, in a legendary series. Had it not been for superstar outfielder Kirby Puckett, history might look a good bit different for the organization.

In the third inning, Puckett tracked a deep fly ball off the bat of Ron Gant before leaping way into the air, catching the ball before it struck off the 13-foot Plexiglass shield in left field.

The play saved at least one run, and the Twins went on to win the game 4-3, forcing a Game 7 that they’d eventually win 1-0.

3) David Wright Doesn't Need A Glove Against The San Diego Padres

Untimely injuries cut short what looked like a surefire Hall of Fame career for New York Mets third baseman David Wright. But at his peak, Wright was a highlight machine.

Perhaps the most iconic of those highlights came in 2005 against the San Diego Padres when Wright ranged from his third base position into shallow left field and dove, reaching out with his bare right hand to snag a Brian Giles blooper.

Wright’s play was so remarkable that the rival crowd at Petco Park came to its feet to give him a standing ovation.

2) Gary Matthews Jr. Jumps Off The Earth To Rob

Gary Matthews Jr. had a solid, although largely forgettable, 11-year MLB career. But in 2006, Matthews made his lone MLB All-Star Game appearance and made one of the greatest catches in league history.

During a July 1 game against the Houston Astros, Matthews Jr. wandered back and jumped seemingly 50 feet in the air to make an incredible, twisting catch to rob a home run from first baseman Mike Lamb.

How good was the play? “The Best D— Sports Show Period” voted it the No. 1 defensive play of all time.

1) Willie Mays Makes 'The Catch' In Game 1 Of The 1954 World Series

If you make a play simply known as “The Catch,” how could it not be number one on our list?

In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians, Giants legend Willie Mays cemented himself in history.

In the eighth inning, with the score tied 2– and multiple runners on, Mays made an unbelievable over-the-shoulder catch while on the run to keep the game tied. He also quickly turned and got the ball in, preventing one of the runners from advancing. The Giants won the game 5–2 in extra innings and went on to win the World Series.