Cubs' Rizzo makes incredible grab before landing in Wrigley stands
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo made a spectacular, outstretched catch into the Wrigley Field stands during Chicago's 3-2, 10-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.
He made the catch and then landed in the second row where the Wrigley Field faithful congratulated him with back pats all around, while one woman looked on as if she couldn't believe what she had just seen.
The remarkable play occurred in the top of the sixth inning with the Cubs leading 2-1. The Brewers had a runner on first with one out when slugger Ryan Braun sent a high pop into foul territory off first base. As it drifted toward the stands, Rizzo tracked it to the rolled-up tarp against the brick wall separating the field from the stands.
Rizzo hopped onto the tarp, planted his left foot on the cement top of the brick wall, stretched into the stands, made the catch and then landed in the crowd.
Initially it was ruled a no-catch, presumably because the umpires interpreted his left foot as being out of bounds. After a lengthy meeting of the umpiring crew, the play was indeed ruled an out. However, the runner on first, Jonathan Lucroy, was awarded second because Rizzo went into the stands.
"Just incredible effort by an unbelievable player," Braun told reporters after the game, according to The Associated Press. "From a pure effort perspective, one of the greatest plays I've ever seen in the regular season. It's a really dangerous play, obviously. You have no idea where you're going to land. If his foot were to hit the seat wrong or fall in-between seats, he could have broken an ankle. So for him to even attempt that, it's a special play by a really good player."
Here's a longer version of the play, thanks to MLB.com.
