On May 27, 2021, the baseball world witnessed a sequence of events so improbable and illogical that it remains a fixture in sports highlight reels half a decade later. Today marks the five-year anniversary of the Javier Baez baserunning play against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a moment that perfectly encapsulated the chaotic genius of the man known as "El Mago." For fans of the Chicago Cubs, it was a display of pure instinct; for the Pirates, it was a defensive collapse of historic proportions.
Anatomy of the Javier Baez Baserunning Play
The situation seemed routine enough. With two outs in the top of the third inning and Willson Contreras on second base, Javier Baez hit a routine ground ball to third baseman Erik Gonzalez. The throw to first base was slightly wide, pulling first baseman Will Craig off the bag. In any other game with any other runner, Craig would have simply stepped on first base or tagged the runner to end the inning. Instead, Baez hit the brakes.
Rather than running through the bag and accepting the out, Baez began retreating toward home plate. This decision defied every fundamental rule taught in Little League, yet it worked because it completely paralyzed the Pittsburgh defense. Will Craig, instead of simply touching first base to record the force out, decided to pursue Baez toward the plate. This choice effectively kept the inning alive and allowed the madness to unfold.
A Comedy of Errors at PNC Park
As Craig chased Baez toward the home plate area, Willson Contreras took advantage of the confusion. Seeing the first baseman out of position and the plate unprotected, Contreras rounded third and sprinted for home. In one of the most iconic images from the play, Baez—while still technically in a rundown—began signaling safe for his teammate as Contreras slid across the plate.
The breakdown didn't end there. After Contreras scored, the Pirates finally realized Baez was still not out. Catcher Michael Perez attempted to throw the ball to first base to retire Baez, but the throw was wild, skipping into right field. Baez, never one to miss an opportunity for extra bases, sprinted all the way to second. By the time the dust settled, a routine ground out had turned into a run for the Cubs and a runner in scoring position.
The statistical box score for the Javier Baez baserunning play remains a nightmare for official scorers. It was officially ruled a fielder's choice and an E3 (error on the first baseman), but those cold notations fail to capture the sheer absurdity of the moment. It was a play where the mental pressure applied by Baez caused a professional Major League defense to simply forget how the rules of the game worked.
The Legacy of "El Mago" and the 2021 Cubs
At the time, the Chicago Cubs were in a state of transition, but Baez remained the heartbeat of the team's flair and unpredictability. This play served as a final, high-definition reminder of why Baez was one of the most polarizing yet entertaining players of his generation. He didn't just play the game; he manipulated the environment around him to create advantages where none should exist.
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the play became a symbol of a rebuilding era marked by mental lapses. It served as a teaching moment across all levels of baseball, emphasizing the importance of recording the "sure out" before worrying about the lead runner. Five years later, coaches still use the footage of this play to illustrate why fundamental footwork at first base is non-negotiable.
Key Takeaways from the Anniversary
- Instinct over Rules: Baez’s decision to run backward was technically incorrect but strategically brilliant given the defensive reaction.
- The Force Out Rule: The play only continued because Will Craig failed to touch first base, which would have ended the inning regardless of where Baez was.
- Historical Context: This remains one of the few times in MLB history a runner has successfully baited a defender into a rundown between first and home on a force play.
As we look back five years later, the Javier Baez baserunning play stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball. It reminds us that even in a game governed by strict rules and a century of tradition, there is still room for a little bit of magic—and a whole lot of chaos.
Sources & Original Reporting
