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.

Baseball is a game loaded with strategy, which is why so many fans get infuriated when people say it is boring. It’s those little nuances that make the game so special.

Those nuances were on display during the  August 10, 2013 game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Roberto Hernandez was on the mound and noticed an opportunity to get Juan Uribe out at third. While Uribe wasn’t paying attention, Hernandez flipped the ball to Evan Longoria who was standing beyond Uribe’s view.

Longoria had the ball in his glove as third-base umpire Angel Hernandez watched. Longoria gently placed his glove on Uribe’s back and as soon as Uribe took his foot off the base, Hernandez called him out.

Longoria’s joy at pulling off the play is apparent. Uribe was later mocked by teammate Yasiel Puig when he presented him with his shoe taped to a base.

Uribe didn’t learn from his mistake and fell victim to a fake trick play a few years later when he was with the Indians. On May 19, 2016, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips tried to fake out Uribe. Again, Uribe wasn’t paying attention and stepped off the base, so Phillips simply pranked him by tagging him before he got back to second.

Uribe was clearly shaken by the prank as he put his hand on his heart, despite laughing at Phillips. Even the umpire was able to get a few laughs in at Uribe’s expense.

Most trick plays take place between the lines, but this iconic “catch” against the Dodgers was pure Hollywood trickery.

One of the strangest trick plays has to be the one that Todd Frazier made against the Dodgers on September 3, 2018. Alex Verdugo hit a pop fly foul near third base. In the speed of the game, Frazier clearly catches the ball, then takes a dive into the stands.

The umpire saw the catch, watched Frazier dive, and called Verdugo out when Frazier showed him he still had the ball.

But, after the game was over and the video was analyzed, it becomes crystal clear that Frazier could have a career in sleight-of-hand tricks after he retires from baseball. It turns out that Frazier didn’t have the foul ball, but actually grabbed child’s rubber ball from the stands and used that to give the umpire the impression that he made the out.

The Mets ended up winning the game and Frazier’s fast hands and quick thinking is now a part of baseball lore.

While Frazier was with the Yankees, he was a victim of a hidden ball trick. In a game against the Blue Jays, he was on second base when Jose Bautista made a catch off of a Jacoby Ellsbury hit to right field. Bautista threw the ball to Ryan Goins at second, who faked the throw to the pitcher as Frazier wasn’t paying attention.

Goins then tagged Frazier as soon as he stepped off the base and then headed for the dugout, much to Frazier’s surprise.

Jose Altuve is known for aggressive base running, but on May 29, 2013, the Rockies called his bluff.

After an intentional walk, Altuve stole second and got to third after J.D. Martinez hit a single. But, the Rockies knew just how to get Altuve. During the next at bat, Martinez stole second. The catcher, Wilin Rosario, faked a throw to get Martinez out and Altuve misread the throw. On his way to steal home, the Rockies got him out, making Altuve look a lot less like the MVP and more like an inexperienced 23-year-old.

Altuve isn’t the only Astros player to be duped by a quick-thinking opponent. In what is one of my favorite trick plays ever, Ian Kinsler intentionally missed an easy pop up. At this time, Colby Rasmus was on first and Tyler White was at the plate. Kinsler clearly knew that Rasmus was the faster of the two and needed to be removed from the bases. If he caught the pop up, Rasmus would stay on first and White would be out.

No one expected Kinsler to “drop” the ball.

By missing the pop up, picking up the ball, and throwing it to Jose Iglesias at second, Rasmus was out. The fielder’s choice was a smart move by Kinsler as Evan Gattis was following White, and he, too, was slow.

Unfortunately, the Tigers did not win the game, but that move cemented Kinsler as a fan favorite.

It’s hard to imagine anyone taking advantage of the Houston Astros as they continue to field one of the best teams in the MLB. But, even the best teams can be duped by trick plays.