There’s a reason Javier Baez earned the nickname “El Mago” during his baseball career. And he showed just why during Puerto Rico’s Sunday night game against Israel during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
With Puerto Rico already up 2-0 in the bottom of the first — thanks to a two-run double from Baez earlier in the inning — the team was looking to extend their lead even more. After a called strike with two outs in the inning, Baez got a good jump off of second to make for third for the steal.
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway tossed a great ball to third, and while it was a bit low, it seemed as if Baez might be caught. Instead, however, Baez dexterously dodged out of the way on the slide, moving his arm up and around Noah Mendlinger’s tag to make it to third safely.
SWIM MOVE 🏊♂️
JAVY IS A MAGICIAN 🪄
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/Kli53YL8IG
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2023
What a move! Baez would then later get home to extend Puerto Rico’s lead to 3-0 by the end of the first inning. Talk about doing it all for your team!
