Carlos Correa’s crucial run-saving play from shortstop against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday has drawn comparison with the famous flip play by the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter in 2001.
The Twins were 3-0 ahead in the top of the 4th and the Blue Jays had two on, two out when Kevin Kiermaier hit a bouncing ground ball towards third.
Jorge Polanco, playing in an unfamiliar position, missed the grab and Bo Bichette began rounding third base to head for home.
Step up Correa, who ran right from shortstop, bare-handed the ball, and flung it to Ryan Jeffers, who was able to tag out Bichette before he reached home plate.
The play immediately drew comparisons with the play made by Jeter against the Oakland A’s in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS, with Jeter cutting off a throw from right field and flipping the ball to Jorge Posada to tag out Jeremy Giambi at home plate.
“I just have to say: the game-changing play Correa made today was reminiscent of Jeter’s iconic play vs Oakland,” tweeted Twins World Series winner-turned-Bally Sports North analyst Roy Smalley.
“Given where he was when the play started, the difficulty of the play and the game situation it’s just one of the best plays I’ve seen a SS make…ever.”
None were as dumbfounded by the play as Twins starter Pablo Lopez, who told The Athletic: “That was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it when it happened. … Carlos came from nowhere.”
Here is the Jeter play from 2001. Judge for yourself how the two compare.
