Jose Iglesias Makes Bid For Play Of The Year For Tigers
BOSTON (CBS) -- If there's one thing that Red Sox fans know well about Jose Iglesias, it's that the shortstop possesses some otherworldly defensive talent. Now, Tigers fans are well aware, and the baseball world at large couldn't have missed his spectacular play on Monday night.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with a runner on first and one out, White Sox catcher Josh Phegley hit a soft broken-bat flare toward the middle of the infield. The ball sailed over the diving reach of pitcher Doug Fister in what looked to be a surefire infield single. Everyone might have been thinking that, but not Iglesias.
The 23-year-old Cuban charged toward the ball, reached down to pick it up with his bare hand and then, with a flick of the wrist, made an accurate throw to first base while falling face-first into the grass.
As the Tigers broadcast crew said: "No way. Come on, Jose. Ladies and gentlemen, that just happened."
Iglesias was traded to Detroit in a three-team deal that also involved the White Sox, with Jake Peavy going to the Red Sox.
The play didn't just impress broadcasters, but also Iglesias' new teammates, including Torii Hunter, a veteran of more than 2,000 MLB games.
"Iglesias, man, since he's been here, he's making some plays. I'm talking about plays that I haven't seen in a long time," Hunter said, according to Fox Sports Detroit. "I've seen Roberto Alomar, I've seen a lot of guys and he's with the best," Hunter said. "He's up there. He's confident with that glove. That's what we need him to bring every day. The bat a little bit but that glove a lotta bit."
