Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt have made some unbelievable defensive plays over the course of their careers. It’s why they have 13 Gold Glove Awards between the two of them. So, when both players can’t hold back their smiles after a play, you know something ridiculous just occurred.
That’s exactly what happened on Saturday night.
During the St. Louis Cardinals’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Alek Thomas hit a grounder that took a crazy hop off the plate towards the middle of the infield. It was the kind of hop that should have resulted in an infield hit every time. But Arenado is on another level.
Are you serious, Goldenado?! pic.twitter.com/YHUyvKHl10
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 21, 2022
Arenado fielded the high bounce with his barehand, and in a fluid motion, fired off a hard throw in the dirt to Goldschmidt. As impressive as Arenado’s effort was, you really can’t overlook that scoop from Goldschmidt. He had almost no time to react to such a hard throw from short range, and yet, Goldschmidt managed to get his glove in the perfect spot for the scoop.
After the game, Goldschmidt tried to play off his part in the Web Gem as luck, but there aren’t many other first basemen who make that play.
Goldy tells @TheCatOnBallyTV that he was blown away by Arenado's insane play: "I couldn't help but laugh and smile at that. … I just had to take that moment in and be thankful I was a part of it."
Brought to you by your Mid-America Chevy Dealers. https://t.co/4ESrl0L9ks pic.twitter.com/R2v9FXjmPt
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) August 21, 2022
MLB fans, of course, were also impressed.
This was how Twitter reacted
I’ve literally watched this 12 times over again. This is wild https://t.co/YDf3b2B5TA
— Serena (@SerenaBrianne7) August 21, 2022
This was Goldenados “Jordan Shrug” moment. https://t.co/yjM0n8Bpyk
— Ben Schicker (@SchickerBen) August 21, 2022
There’s literally no other duo in history that could also make that play. We’re lucky to get to watch them. https://t.co/QRWDDR4qiO
— Lexie Maddux (@LexieMaddux) August 21, 2022
This is just an incredible play my goodness https://t.co/jnWRO0m0VI
— 🌹Andrew Lawrence🌹 (@andrewute1) August 21, 2022
This was one of the most amazing plays I've ever seen https://t.co/OgF974rjIm
— Ron Rigdon (@RonRigdon) August 21, 2022
This has to be one of the craziest plays I’ve seen in a while. Absolutely amazing. https://t.co/3O3qGtuDU5
— Juliet Jeske 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@JulietJeske) August 21, 2022
Why in the WORLD is Goldschmidt not getting more praise for this scoop?!?!? https://t.co/RDBzsfV0Qd
— RP2 (@RickEFresh) August 21, 2022
Nobody has ever done it better at third base. Arenado is simply incredible. https://t.co/CciD5Aj2mm
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) August 21, 2022
I didn’t even see Arenado’s throw…how did Goldy catch it?! pic.twitter.com/KbK5k7PkMm
— The Cardinal Way (@STL_Cards_nut) August 21, 2022
Can you imagine Nolan Arenado halfway crow hopping and rearing back to throw a baseball as hard as he can to you from like 50 feet away? I’d prefer not to. And Goldschmidt without flinching picks it off the dirt. Incredible https://t.co/e2OuehhI96
— Prez John Mozeliak (@PrezJohnMo) August 21, 2022
when Arenado throws a rocket at you from approximately three feet away and you live to tell the tale#stlcards pic.twitter.com/y1ckEzmpK5
— STL Sports (@Cards_Blues) August 21, 2022
I'm pretty sure Nolan Arenado threw this ball approximately 120 mph https://t.co/S6AnOY0QQa
— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) August 21, 2022
That play really was as good as it gets.
