Curtis Granderson's Amazing Catch

[Slick5150]

For those who haven't seen it, this is one of the best catches I've seen in a long time.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qqb3cC9Iouo

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What sport is this?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Nothing special.

 

[NathanBWF]

It was a really nice catch, however there have been better plays this year than that.

This one reminds me of the one that the Mets outfielder (can't remember his name right now) made in the playoffs last year to rob Scott Rolen of a home run.

 

[Mr Incognito]

That was impressive I guess. Too bad he couldn't have done that to the Yankees.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
What sport is this?

major league baseball?

 

[Izzo]

Sucks that he isn't an All-Star this year. Most write in votes out of anyone since he wasn't on the ballot due to Sheff, Maggs, and C-Mo (wtf?). He's having a better season stats wise than reserve Manny Ramirez, plus his defense is light years ahead of Manny. He puts up great numbers for his second full season (among AL leaders in Runs and extra base hits) and was a steal away from being the ninth player in baseball history to have double digits in doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases by the Mid Summer Classic. Not to mention he plays flawless defense in the league's largest centerfield.

If he continues to progress the same rate as he has been, look out, because his ceiling is pretty high.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
What sport is this?

Soccer. Definately soccer.

 

[ThePresence]

That's a nice catch, but you see plays like that from time to time.
I'll still take Gary Matthews Jr.'s catch last year though. That was just a special play.
No more youtube link due to a copyright claim by MLB, so here is a crappy version (maybe NSFW ads). Text

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nothing special.

I respectfully disagree. Comparing home run robbing catches, this one is among the tops considering the distance covered from shallow/mid center to deep left center at Comerica, how he hit the wall in stride, and cleared the wall with his entire upper body without having to plant his foot against the wall for the extra boost.

 

[rh71]

Endy Chavez' catch and DP (game 7 NLCS)

Granderson's was nice but backhanded catches are easier (especially for body position) if you ask me. Plus this DET fence was definitely shorter.

Gary Matthews' was better than both.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nothing special.

I respectfully disagree. Comparing home run robbing catches, this one is among the tops considering the distance covered from shallow/mid center to deep left center at Comerica, how he hit the wall in stride, and cleared the wall with his entire upper body without having to plant his foot against the wall for the extra boost.

Exactly. He was playing shallow and ran an incredible distance and hit the wall in stride to make that catch which is what made it all the more impressive.

And whoever said making a backhanded catch is easier is just plain wrong. To have to extend like that and hang onto the ball is REALLY hard backhanded. I'm not saying its easy if he's running to his left, but its easier.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
And whoever said making a backhanded catch is easier is just plain wrong. To have to extend like that and hang onto the ball is REALLY hard backhanded. I'm not saying its easy if he's running to his left, but its easier.

You might be right about hanging on when backhanding a catch - it depends on the angle of the glove - but the backhanded extension is just plain easier over a wall. Again, I was talking about body-position. I doubt he'd reach that if it was a ball in right-center given how late he was. The arm just doesn't bend down that way.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Slick5150
And whoever said making a backhanded catch is easier is just plain wrong. To have to extend like that and hang onto the ball is REALLY hard backhanded. I'm not saying its easy if he's running to his left, but its easier.

You might be right about hanging on when backhanding a catch - it depends on the angle of the glove - but the backhanded extension is just plain easier over a wall. Again, I was talking about body-position. I doubt he'd reach that if it was a ball in right-center. The arm just doesn't bend down that way.

At Comerica, that would've been a lazy flyball in right center and would've probably fallen short of the warning track

 

[tigersty1e]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
What sport is this?

Soccer. Definately soccer.

You're wrong. It's hockey.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Slick5150
And whoever said making a backhanded catch is easier is just plain wrong. To have to extend like that and hang onto the ball is REALLY hard backhanded. I'm not saying its easy if he's running to his left, but its easier.

You might be right about hanging on when backhanding a catch - it depends on the angle of the glove - but the backhanded extension is just plain easier over a wall. Again, I was talking about body-position. I doubt he'd reach that if it was a ball in right-center. The arm just doesn't bend down that way.

At Comerica, that would've been a lazy flyball in right center and would've probably fallen short of the warning track

I take that back, it looks like left center is actually deeper than right by most accounts. It sure looks like right is deeper than left though, the way the fence is shaped in right.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nothing special.

I respectfully disagree. Comparing home run robbing catches, this one is among the tops considering the distance covered from shallow/mid center to deep left center at Comerica, how he hit the wall in stride, and cleared the wall with his entire upper body without having to plant his foot against the wall for the extra boost.

Matthews covered just as much, if not more distance, jumped halfway over the wall with his back facing home plate, made a 360 in the air and caught it. One of the best catches you'll ever see.

 

[Fourier Transform]

This would make the And-1 mix tape of baseball.

 

[Izzo]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Izzo

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nothing special.

I respectfully disagree. Comparing home run robbing catches, this one is among the tops considering the distance covered from shallow/mid center to deep left center at Comerica, how he hit the wall in stride, and cleared the wall with his entire upper body without having to plant his foot against the wall for the extra boost.

Matthews covered just as much, if not more distance, jumped halfway over the wall with his back facing home plate, made a 360 in the air and caught it. One of the best catches you'll ever see.

Without a doubt, Matthews catch was better. Possibly GOAT. Watching the two videos, it looks like Granderson covered more distance, but he also had more time to cover it. Matthews was playing pretty deep and but still had to sprint full speed to the fence and didn't really have time to stutter step to plan his jump. He had to adjust mid air with his back to the ball. Degree of difficulty = 10. I would say that Endy's catch is a touch better than Grandy's, but he loses points since he didn't have to cover as much ground. So Endy = 9.6 and Curtis = 9.4.