We all knew that Los Angeles Dodgers’ center fielder Joc Pederson was talented, that he had big time major league power, and that he was a future star. But this catch that he made yesterday on San Diego Padres’ outfielder Justin Upton with men on first and second and two out in the 9th inning with the game knotted up at two was what legends are made out of. He knew where the wall was and that he could be badly injured, or even knocked out, but he was willing to sacrifice his body to save the game for his team.
That, everyone, is a true major league baseball player.
At just 22 years old, this rookie phenom has officially earned himself a top ten play winner on Sportscenter for a very long time, and we will be seeing that play for as long as we live. Not only because of the difficulty of the catch, or the athleticism it took to even get to that ball, but also because of the significance of the situation and the timing of it. Upton’s face said it all. He was in absolute shock. As he rounded first base he was ready to celebrate, but he was left speechless as Pederson jogged in from the outfield wall with the ball inside his glove. The center fielder has hit 17 home runs and driven in 33 runs this season. Let me tell you this, he was an all star candidate before, but now he’s definitely going to make the team. The Dodgers wound up winning the game 4-2 in 12 innings.
Congratulations Joc Pederson, you made history last night. Easily the catch of the year.