Javier Báez’s El Mago nickname was defined by a standout baserunning moment five years earlier in Pittsburgh. He stepped onto the field and executed a feat that made the Pirates lose their focus and forget basic baseball rules. An ESPN oral history gathered memories from people involved that day, including Pirates catcher Michael Perez, home plate umpire Ryan Additon, broadcaster Jim Deshaies, and Pirates manager Derek Shelton. Perez described the first baseman falling for a trap while everyone was walking toward the dugout and reacting in confusion. Additon recalled calling safe at the plate at nearly the same time as Báez. Deshaies highlighted the timing of a safe call before Báez began running to first. Shelton called it a freaky, once-in-a-lifetime play that he experienced as manager.
"Pirates catcher Michael Perez: "Our first baseman fell for Javy's trap. Everyone was literally off the field. They were all walking towards the dugout. They looked back like, 'What is going on?' Even me, I was saying, 'What is going on?'""
"Home plate umpire Ryan Additon: "Me and Javy called safe at the plate at about the same time.""
"Jim Deshaies: "The fact that he called Willson safe at home plate before he started running to first was just hilarious.""
"Pirates manager Derek Shelton: "It's a really freaky play we'll see one time in a lifetime. Unfortunately, I saw it as the manager of that team.""
Read at Bleacher Nation
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