World Series History: Five Amazing Defensive Plays (With Video)

They say defense wins championships, and that statement holds true in the World Series. Here are five of the best defensive players ever seen in a Fall Classic game.

Defensive proficiency was not always as valued as it is today. Players who could hit well were often “excused” for lapses in the field. In fact, some like “Marvelous” Marv Throneberry, who played in the very early years of the New York Mets, actually became noteworthy for their ineptitude with a glove. But in a World Series, everything changes. Defense and pitching are accented. And sometimes, players excel to greater heights in a World Series to make plays that can only be described as amazing.

If Justin Heyward ever makes it into the Cubs lineup for this World Series, it won’t be because of his hitting prowess (he did not start Game 1). It will be for his ability to run down balls in right field and play caroms off the wall. And actually, Joe Maddon‘s decision to not start him last night flies against the World Series axiom that it’s pitching and defense that win games in October.

The best scenario, though, is to not have a need to make those kinds of decisions by having players who can both field and hit. And as you’ll see, the players making these outstanding plays in the field could also hit a little bit (understatement).

They had the ability to perform under the kind of pressure that we only see in a World Series, and in one case, there was even the added pressure of saving a no-hitter (hint).

These are not advertised as the best fielding plays that were ever made in a World Series game. But they are truly among the best we’ve ever seen. So, let’s get started with one that is recent.