The Detroit Tigers may have dropped Game 5 of the American League Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox Thursday night, but Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias' glove will be the most memorable moment of the tilt.
On a two-ball, two-strike count in the top of the third inning with Red Sox masher David Ortiz at the plate, he connected with a pitch lofting out toward shallow left center field. Iglesias, playing closer to first base than his normal placement in a David Ortiz-proof defensive shift, rocketed past second base into the outfield after the ball.
He then flicked his glove out with lightning quickness, making a catch so improbable that even Ortiz clapped on his way back to the dugout. When asked after the game whether he thought he would come up with the ball, Iglesias said "No chance."
His highlight-reel grab had Twitter buzzing, with Jeff Passan tweeting, "Jose Iglesias is not a shortstop from Cuba. He is a wizard who came to the U.S. straight from Hogwarts."
Jose Iglesias is not a shortstop from Cuba. He is a wizard who came to the U.S. straight from Hogwarts.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 18, 2013
Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy tweeted sarcastically, "burn the witch!" noting his wizard-like range,
burn the witch! — Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) October 18, 2013
while fellow A's hurler Brett Anderson sent out a tweet reading "Give Jose Iglesias the Gold Glove for next year, now..."
Give Jose Iglesias the Gold Glove for next year, now...
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson49) October 18, 2013
Iglesias was a member of the Red Sox this season, and well known for his elite glove. Detroit acquired him at the trade deadline for Avisail Garcia and relief pitcher Brayan Villareal mainly as insurance for the looming suspension facing regular shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Peralta was indeed suspended 50 games, and Iglesias was an igniter for the Tigers.
While his calling card was his Gold Glove-caliber defense, Iglesias finished the season with a .303 batting average, three home runs, and 29 RBI. Despite his fine grab, the Tigers weren't able to pull out the pivotal Game 5 at home, and must win back-to-back contests in Fenway Park if they want to make a World Series appearance.
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