For a player like Miguel Cabrera, the competitive stakes in spring training are virtually nonexistent. He knows he’s making the Opening Day roster. The score doesn’t matter. He might as well have some fun with his 2019 Grapefruit League experience and try the hidden-ball trick.
During Monday’s game against the Twins in Fort Myers, Twins baserunner Ehire Adrianza dove back safely to first on a pick-off attempt.
Cabrera applied the tag on Adrianza’s arm and then pretended to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Adrianza, though, wasn’t exactly watching Cabrera and took his arm off the bag. The hidden-ball trick worked!
Cabrera re-applied the tag to Adrianza’s chest and retired the Twins player.
Adrianza couldn’t believe it, but that’s why you don’t take your eyes off the baseball — even in spring training.
