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.

Reeds
Sam Fuld--his ribs still hurt—now have fun in TN
Gary Matthews Jr

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.

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.

1. Reed’s
2. No idea
3. Edmonds in 97

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.

.... 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.

I faintly remember one where he”walked” up the wall in Kauffman Stadium, which was a freaking cavern when he played there.

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.

Hirosho Kamakaze Tanaka from Major League 2

He climbed the wall and stood on top of it.

that matthews jr catch was unforgettable but i gotta say anytime prince fielder can actually catch a ball is good. j/k

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.

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...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwuWPRG72ZY&feature=related

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.

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.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6021248157789482051&q=david+wright+bare+hand+catch&ei=EjIzSIS7D5GIrQL-j6T_Ag&hl=en

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: