MLB: Miguel Cabrera, the hidden ball trick, and other epic trick plays

All too often, aging veteran MLB players get a bad rap. Especially when said players have immense contracts and histories of injuries.

Take Miguel Cabrera, for example. Fans of the 11-time All-Star, Triple Crown winner, and all-around beloved MLB giant think he should be relegated to the full-time DH role.

But, his experience and ability to change the game at first base was on full display against an unsuspecting Minnesota Twins base runner.

After getting his only hit of the game, Twins shortstop Ehire Adrianza failed to follow the most important rule in baseball. He took his eye off the ball after an attempted pick-off from Tyson Ross. This gave Cabrera the opportunity to fake a throw to Ross, then quickly tag out Adrianza who had relaxed and stepped off the base. The first base coach, who just happened to be Ron Gardenhire‘s son Toby Gardenhire, also wasn’t paying much attention to Cabrera, either.

Even though this trick play took place during a Spring Training game, it is a moment that Cabrera fans will not soon forget. The best hitter in baseball still has what it takes – even on defense.

He’s not the first player to use his wits to get an out with a trick play and he won’t be the last. Let’s take a look at other memorable trick plays in recent MLB history.