Greatest Catch Ever?
After Edmonds' catch last night and the argument of whose catch was better, Edmonds' or Reed's, I was wondering what everybody thought was the greatest catch they've ever seen. I was curious to find out what everybody thought about:
1. Whose was better: Edmonds' or Reed's?
2. What is the greatest catch in Cubs history?
3. What is the greatest catch in MLB history?
If you have links to any of the catches you name, that would be awesome. Interested to hear what other people think. Thanks.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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I guess I should give you my answers
1. Reed’s
2. Reed’s
3. Jim Edmonds’ over the shoulder/back dive in 1997 for the Angels. I still can’t believe that catch when I see it.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
by McRipper on
May 20, 2008 9:44 AM CDT
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anyone got a link to that catch?
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
May 20, 2008 1:54 PM CDT
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I think
MLB took it off Youtube. I’m sure it’s out there somewhere. They showed it last night after last night’s catch.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
by McRipper on
May 20, 2008 2:24 PM CDT
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Reeds
Sam Fuld--his ribs still hurt—now have fun in TN
Gary Matthews Jr
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 20, 2008 10:06 AM CDT
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forgotten catch
I remember back in maybe 2001, gary matthews jr with the cubs, making a sliding catch in center where the ball came out of his glove, and at the last second reached back to catch it barehanded. personally thought that one was just as good as the one that he made last year which i think won an ESPY. Does anyone have a clip of the one i’m talking about?
by bsm9 on
May 20, 2008 10:09 AM CDT
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I have a different view of the difficulty of both of these catches.
1)Reed has the benefit of being able to track the ball as he ran towards it which would help him to time his dive. JE has the problem of having the ball hit directly over hits head which is the toughest of all. I’m not going to debate whether he should be playing deeper or whether he plays up the dramatic. JE made a great catch on a very difficult play. Reed made a great diving catch on a ball as it approached the wall. I would favor Reed/s catch as being better only because he had to not only catch the ball, but hold on as he hit the wall. JE was able to stay on his feet w/ no wall to content with.
2) I really can’t recall any catch better than Reed’s, but my memory ain’t what it used to be.
3) Gary Matthew’s catch over the wall against the Royals was one of the most unforgettable catchs that I can recall. JE’s dive is right up there as well.
The funny thing about JE’s catch last night is all of the angst that it’s causing for fans who don’t want to cheer for JE. Many are saying Pie makes this catch easy. This we will never know. I do know that if Pie had made the catch, then everyone would be saying no way JE would have made it. For what it’s worth, I was against signing JE and sending Pie down. This doesn’t change my opinion, but it was a heck of a catch.
by billybuck on
May 20, 2008 10:16 AM CDT
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It WAS a heck of a catch...
but I don’t think it’s irrational to say that Pie (who is much faster and generally plays a deeper CF) makes that catch more easily. Conversely, if Pie had to make the same type of catch (the over-the-shoulder basket catch part), it’s completely logical to say that Edmonds would have had no chance at it, because he’s slower and because he plays more shallow.
It was a great catch. One can say it’s a great catch and believe that the play would have been easier for Pie at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive. As has been said before, Edmonds’ value over Pie won’t be decided by his defense, because both are pretty darn good at that. It will be decided by how much more (if anything more at all) Edmonds can provide with the bat.
by SouthernCub on
May 20, 2008 11:44 AM CDT
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That's debatable
A lot of people believe that Pie’s defense is vastly superior to Edmonds.
by californiachicagoan on
May 20, 2008 1:55 PM CDT
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This is a tough one.
I recall a couple of catches by Kenny Lofton and Ken Griffey Jr. when they were younger that could rank as “best ever”. Wish I could remember specific dates/situations on these, but I don’t.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 20, 2008 10:30 AM CDT
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J Jones catch last year
Jacque Jones made a spectacular catch last year too. He and I don’t remember the RF almost collided mid-air. Not saying it was the best catch ever but it definitely deserves to be up there as well.
by ak123 on
May 20, 2008 10:34 AM CDT
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Greatest catch ever?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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Nice work SWL!
...looks like this Photoshop thing of yours is growing on you!
Help me Obi-ONEDEC. You're our only hope.
by IowaCubs- on
May 20, 2008 12:09 PM CDT
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1) Johnson
2) Johnson
3) There are three catches that I can remember seeing that I want to mention here, the first two have already been mentioned (Johnson’s and GMJr’s last year). The third is the catch that David Wright made either last year or the year before, diving away from the infield while making the catch with his bare hand (you can get to the clip this way http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050810&content_id=1164571&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym
It’s the only clip I could find.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 20, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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answers
1. Reed’s
2. No idea
3. Edmonds in 97
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 4-1 (.800), DRS: 1
by joeschmitt on
May 20, 2008 10:37 AM CDT
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Cubs History
Almost fogot this one but does anybody remember when K Wood caught that comebacker with a backhanded no look stab at the ball? It was unbelievable and that might have to be considered as well.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
by McRipper on
May 20, 2008 10:41 AM CDT
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I agree
That would probably be my vote for #2.
As far as #3, I can’t speak for all of history, but in recent memory I’d say either Gary Matthews Jr’s catch last year or Manny Ramirez’s catch, high-five the fan, turn and throw out the runner from last week. Maybe not the best but certainly my favorite.
by Wreckard on
May 20, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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There have been so many...
...great catches, you could go on forever listing them.
One that I think does not get it’s just due, was the one Uribe made in game 4 of the World Series with the game very close. He timed going into the stands perfectly, and was able to reach way in to make a great catch under very tough circumstances.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on
May 20, 2008 10:44 AM CDT
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Derek Jeter...
... made a catch like that vs. the Red Sox in a game in 2004.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 20, 2008 10:45 AM CDT
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ESPN will never let us forget that catch
I know, I tried.
by Wreckard on
May 20, 2008 12:39 PM CDT
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Of all people...
.... Kevin Mitchell, when he was with the Giants in the late 80’s, once caught a ball barehanded in the LF corner. Even he couldn’t believe it. They used to show this on all the “amazing plays” shows.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 20, 2008 10:44 AM CDT
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Mitchell's catch
I remember that one and it was spectacular. Forget about Wheaties, Vick’s Vapo-Rub is the true breakfast of champions. If that hadn’t been part of his diet, he probably would have broken his hand on that catch.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on
May 20, 2008 10:56 AM CDT
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I remember that but I can't count that
Great plays due to the player initially misplaying the ball don’t count.
by rlpete on
May 20, 2008 11:02 AM CDT
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Good point
And he probably misplayed it because his eyes were still watering after eating his daily dollop of Vapo-Rub.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on
May 20, 2008 11:20 AM CDT
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Bo Jackson made a couple of amazing catches.
I faintly remember one where he”walked” up the wall in Kauffman Stadium, which was a freaking cavern when he played there.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 20, 2008 10:51 AM CDT
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Ichiro
made a catch last year I think, where he climbed up the wall, turned around, and caught the ball. Amazing play!
"I lof to hit de home ron!"
by Tekboy on
May 20, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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Based on just the catch
the Edmonds and Matthews, Jr catches were possibly the best.
Considering the situation and it pains me to say it, but Ron Swoboda’s in the ‘69 series was pretty darn good.
by rlpete on
May 20, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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How about
Hirosho Kamakaze Tanaka from Major League 2
He climbed the wall and stood on top of it.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 20, 2008 11:17 AM CDT
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Excellent!!!
That catch took some big marbles!!
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
by McRipper on
May 20, 2008 11:22 AM CDT
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Didn't Ivan Calderone
make a catch like that when he was with the White Sox?
Formerly NO100
by jerry morales rules on
May 20, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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Ha
If he made that catch today people would be clammoring about how Pie would have been camped under it.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 20, 2008 11:36 AM CDT
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My point
I dont discount the play Edmonds made last night. I rewatched it many times and I think he got a good jump on the ball and the ball tailed towards his right shoulder.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 20, 2008 11:36 AM CDT
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That crappy hill in CF
didn’t help either. looks like he caught it just as he was stepping up to it. They really should get rid of it and that pole as well.
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Voltaire
by Jettero2112 on
May 20, 2008 11:38 AM CDT
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Couldnt agree more
Its like a softball field that has the light poles INSIDE the fence. WTF
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 20, 2008 11:42 AM CDT
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Or the old endzones
with the goal posts in play. Who are the ad wizards that came up with that one?
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.
by neverAcquiesce on
May 20, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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My theory
Pie would have definitely gotten to that ball before Edmond’s did. I don’t think he would have made the play though, I think he would have probably gotten to that hill and lost his footing, I’m sure this has happened many times before.
I think Reed’s catch this year is one of the best catches I have ever seen but as much as I don’t like Jim Edmonds, his catch in ‘97 was the greatest of all time.
You know you want a TommyD special
by TommyD on
May 20, 2008 11:44 AM CDT
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The ball was caught before the hill...
So if you think Pie would have gotten there, then the hill wouldn’t have been a factor. Edmonds made the catch short of the hill, then reached the Hill a step or two after the catch.
I agree that Edmonds’ catch back with the Angels is probably the greatest catch of all time. A full-speed dive away from the batter is really impressive.
by SouthernCub on
May 20, 2008 11:54 AM CDT
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I was just saying
that when he was slowing down, he would have taken a step or two on the hill before the ball got there. one stumble could have botched the catch.
You know you want a TommyD special
by TommyD on
May 20, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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I suspect...
that he would have slowed down a the warning track and been fine. But, it’s all speculation of course.
by SouthernCub on
May 20, 2008 12:07 PM CDT
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no - it was caught on the upslope of the hill
watch it again. i linked to it in my fanpost.
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 4-1 (.800), DRS: 1
by joeschmitt on
May 20, 2008 12:56 PM CDT
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+1
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 4-1 (.800), DRS: 1
by joeschmitt on
May 20, 2008 12:59 PM CDT
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catches
that matthews jr catch was unforgettable but i gotta say anytime prince fielder can actually catch a ball is good. j/k
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
by cubsluver22 on
May 20, 2008 12:15 PM CDT
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video
video links would help this post greatly.
by SleepyLaBeef on
May 20, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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Here ya go.
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Voltaire
by Jettero2112 on
May 20, 2008 5:03 PM CDT
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Yeah... Edmonds plays in just so he could hotdog it...
What nonsense. He plays in so he can make the highlight reels? I completely disagree with this.
He plays in to keep runners in check and hold them from advancing. The fact that he has such good range behind him is a product of knowing the pitching situation and anticipating where the ball will be hit. Not many outfielders can do this with ease—having the ability to correctly judge the distance, speed and arc of a ball hit in either direction, not just speed. Edmonds has the ability to do this.
Pie has a plus arm and average range in spite of his speed. Edmonds has an average arm and plus range in spite of his speed, but makes up for it by playing closer to the infield. I think I’d rather have the range.
Help me Obi-ONEDEC. You're our only hope.
by IowaCubs- on
May 20, 2008 12:25 PM CDT
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Pie - Average range? I disagree.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
May 20, 2008 1:06 PM CDT
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Pie had great range
I’m not sure what you are smoking, but he has tracked down balls that were sure doubles.
by californiachicagoan on
May 20, 2008 1:59 PM CDT
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I Made One Once...
Haha… I know this doesn’t count, but still… haha. During a Babe Ruth League game… I was playing deep and the hitter nailed one straight to me in center. I didn’t even move my feet. I stood there, standing straight, held out my glove, and made a basket catch. The coach, realizing how important the catch was, had a cow yelling at me because of my lack of effort. The yelling took place from the second the ball was hit until I made it to the dugout, still, he hugged me and was very glad I still caught the ball.
ah, those teenage days… Maybe the only time in our life where we look back at some screwups with fondness. Notice I said some...
by TheHawkRules on
May 20, 2008 12:32 PM CDT
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Check this one out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwuWPRG72ZY&feature=related
"I realize very well that I could regress to the mean."
-Brian Bannister on his BABIP
by Bump Bailey on
May 20, 2008 12:38 PM CDT
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2006 NLCS
Endy Chavez’s catch, considering the circumstances especially, warrants mention here and in any thread discussing the greatest catches ever.
by MisterWinter on
May 20, 2008 1:27 PM CDT
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Not amazing, but memorable
Gary Matthews, Sr. in 1984 catching a ball and doing a sort of reverse-sommersault. After that picture was in the Trib, his defense seemed to get better. . . but then, that was 24 years ago.
by Shanghai Badger on
May 20, 2008 1:36 PM CDT
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Dwight Evans and Endy Chavez
I think a lot of this has to do with game circumstances and a crucial catch in a post season game is always going to seem more important.
I doubt it is considered in the top 10 catches and I only vaguely remember what it ACTUALLY looked like but for me Dwight Evans catch in game 6 of the 75 World Series was the best. It was the 12th inning and he caught what would a homer off Joe Morgan.
It was the most unbelievable play of the what I still believe is the greatest game of all time.
I also concur with the other poster re Endy Chavez. To make catches like that in
do or die post season games is on another level to me
by Doggie Stalker on
May 20, 2008 1:38 PM CDT
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Agreed re: Endy Chavez.
Had forgotten about that one.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 20, 2008 3:01 PM CDT
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Context Matters
(1) Reed over Edmonds only because I saw it live and it from 450 feet away it made my jaw drop. It was an unbelievable catch.
(2) Not enough of a Cubs historian to give an answer here definitively, but its tough to imagine one better than Reeds.
(3) Its got to be Mays. That wasn’t just any old catch, it was in the World Series. Edmonds over-the-shoulder dive in 97 was amazing, as was Matthews’ leap over the wall in Kansas City a couple years back. But doing it in a random game during the Regular Season is a far cry from doing it in the World Series. Mays on that basis alone.
by Orval Overall on
May 20, 2008 2:01 PM CDT
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Sorry could not find a link but
I would have to say the diving catch by ozzie smith. The ball took a bad hop as he was diving for it, and caught it bare handed as he was in mid dive. absolutelty amazing ozzie.
by nks6911 on
May 20, 2008 2:23 PM CDT
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David Wright Bare Handed
Im sure even people who hate the Mets can appreciate Wrights talents….heres my favorite one, bare handed back to the ball against the Friars.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
by bren on
May 20, 2008 3:20 PM CDT
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Here is a nominee for greatest catch ever.
In the 1947 World Series, little-used Dodger OF Al Gionfriddo made a running catch of a Joe DiMaggio fly ball that saved Game Six and forced a Game Seven. Here’s a good description:
There were 74,065, a World Series record, on hand at Yankee Stadium on a beautiful day for baseball. Most of them had come to see the home team, now leading 3 games to 2, wrap up another world championship Allie Reynolds started for the Yankees against little left-hander Vic Lombardi for the Dodgers. Neither would be around when the game ended.“Dem Bums” had made up a 5-4 deficit against reliever Joe Page, taking an 8-5 lead as the game moved to the bottom of the sixth inning. As the Dodgers took the field Gionfriddo was put in for defensive purposes.
A George Stirnweiss walk, a two out single by Berra set the stage for Joe DiMaggio – the potential tying run. The Yankee Clipper mashed the first pitch he saw from Dodger reliever Joe Hatten. Dodger broadcaster Red Barber shouted:”Back, back, back” as Gionfriddo raced toward the bullpen railing. He lost his cap, turned, leaped, stuck out his glove. The catch was made just to the left of the 415-foot. marker in front of a low metal gate.
It was said that the catch was one of the greatest in baseball history. It was said that the moment was the only time Joe DiMaggio ever showed real emotion on the ball field. In disbelief as he neared second base, DiMag shook his head and kicked at the dirt.
The game lasted three hours and 19 minutes. There were a total of 38 players used. Brooklyn hung on to eke out an 8-6 win and force a seventh game which the Yankees won.
And Gionfriddo? He joined Bill Bevens and Cookie Lavagetto after the series ended in the distinction of never ever playing in another major league game.
Here’s a photo:

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 20, 2008 3:41 PM CDT
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Considering our current opponent,
The greatest almost catch of September 19, 2007 was this non-webgem
Wait for it, wait for it….ahh, third replay is the charm.
HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!
by section229beer on
May 20, 2008 3:50 PM CDT
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Didn't Moises Alou almost make a great catch back in 03?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 3:54 PM CDT
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dude. that was cold
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on
May 20, 2008 7:15 PM CDT
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(ouch)
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on
May 20, 2008 4:40 PM CDT
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