Holy freaking cannon

haveyoumethoward

All-Conference
May 27, 2019
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I've seen Clemente make better throws than that. Two examples:

1. Ball lined into the right field corner at Forbes Field, runner from 1st heads for third, Clemente races into the corner scoops the ball, whirls and throws in one motion to third. The ball sails over Hoak's head about 10 rows deep into box seats. If it was down the runner would have been out by 10 feet.

2. Again, at Forbes Field. Runner on third, high fly to right, Clemente races in tapping his glove like he has it measured, guy on third hesitates, ball hits the ground 10 feet in front of Clemente he short hops it comes up firing and throws out the runner from third on a base hit to right. I was sitting behind the plate and it was like he was throwing it to me as the ball arrives at the plate on the fly about a foot off the ground towards third, all the catcher had to do was catch it and drop his glove for the tag out.

I was in the ballpark for both of these plays. They didn't document baseball then as they do now, but I'm sure if you google it you may see more great throws by "The Great One!"

 
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SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
1,856
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That’s lazy baserunning. He didn’t slide and deserved to be out.
Did the third base coach tell him to get down? Isn't that the coach's responsibility? Sliding would not always be expected.

If the OF lollygagged or made some error, the coach may have sent him home. In that case sliding would have been not a good idea.

Ignoring the coach is lazy.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
7,640
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Did the third base coach tell him to get down? Isn't that the coach's responsibility? Sliding would not always be expected.

If the OF lollygagged or made some error, the coach may have sent him home. In that case sliding would have been not a good idea.

Ignoring the coach is lazy.
Both could be true here. The third base coach is pointing at the bag. I’m not sure what he is signaling there? Stop here? Get down? It’s usually a more animated motion when the third base coach is signaling to slide. Maybe he realized he made a mistake too late? Regardless, in the short amount of time we see the baserunner running, he isn’t running like Rickey Henderson, that’s for sure.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
2,613
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Both could be true here. The third base coach is pointing at the bag. I’m not sure what he is signaling there? Stop here? Get down? It’s usually a more animated motion when the third base coach is signaling to slide. Maybe he realized he made a mistake too late? Regardless, in the short amount of time we see the baserunner running, he isn’t running like Rickey Henderson, that’s for sure.
Pointing at the bag to mean stop right on the bag, which would be a reason to be slowing down getting to the bag. It’s like saying the throw is coming so don’t overrun the bag, but you don’t need to slide. That’s more on the coach than the player to me. And it’s a hell of a throw.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
7,640
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Pointing at the bag to mean stop right on the bag, which would be a reason to be slowing down getting to the bag. It’s like saying the throw is coming so don’t overrun the bag, but you don’t need to slide. That’s more on the coach than the player to me. And it’s a hell of a throw.
Yes. I’m aware. I played a ton of baseball in my youth. If that’s what the coach is indicating, he’s the worst third base coach in the league. I can’t imagine that’s simply what he meant as that play was unfolding in front of him. He had plenty of time to indicate to the runner to get down. With that being said, there’s a certain feeling you have running the bases. Sort of a sixth sense. Peripheral vision of the third baseman setting up for a throw tells you to get down. The player clearly doesn’t have the feeling of the play developing around him.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
1,772
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That’s lazy baserunning. He didn’t slide and deserved to be out.
It was lazy base running and he got deeked by the third baseman but it still was a helluva throw (301’ and right on the money). I saw Aaron catch a ball in right centerfield at Connie Mack and turn and throw out a baserunner tagging up from third; the ball never was higher than 15’ and was a one hop strike.
 
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BUFFALO LION

Senior
Oct 4, 2001
622
895
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I've seen Clemente make better throws that. Two examples:

1. Ball lined into the right field corner at Forbes Field, runner from 1st heads for third, Clemente races into the corner scoops the ball, whirls and throws in one motion to third. The ball sails over Hoak's head about 10 rows deep into box seats. If it was down the runner would have been out by 10 feet.

2. Again, at Forbes Field. Runner on third, high fly to right, Clemente races in tapping his glove like he has it measured, guy on third hesitates, ball hits the ground 10 feet in front of Clemente he short hops it comes up firing and throws out the runner from third on a base hit to right. I was sitting behind the plate and it was like he was throwing it to me as the ball arrives at the plate on the fly about a foot off the ground towards third, all the catcher had to do was catch it and drop his glove for the tag out.

I was in the ballpark for both of these plays. They didn't document baseball then as they do now, but I'm sure if you google it you may see more great throws by "The Great One!"



Yep. I’ve seen both Clemente and Dave Parker make better throws than that. Willie Mays had a pretty good arm too. Both Clemente and Mays were literally acrobatic the way they would catch the ball, wheel around, and throw strikes from the outfield on a dime.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
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Yes. I’m aware. I played a ton of baseball in my youth. If that’s what the coach is indicating, he’s the worst third base coach in the league. I can’t imagine that’s simply what he meant as that play was unfolding in front of him. He had plenty of time to indicate to the runner to get down. With that being said, there’s a certain feeling you have running the bases. Sort of a sixth sense. Peripheral vision of the third baseman setting up for a throw tells you to get down. The player clearly doesn’t have the feeling of the play developing around him.
Tough to put that on the runner. If he was reading both the third baseman and his coach, neither reacted like there was a play on him. Coach has the whole play unfolding in front of him and, from the little bit we see of him in this clip at least, doesn’t show any urgency.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
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Yep. I’ve seen both Clemente and Dave Parker make better throws than that. Willie Mays had a pretty good arm too. Both Clemente and Mays were literally acrobatic the way they would catch the ball, wheel around, and throw strikes from the outfield on a dime.
Isn’t that exactly what Acuna did?
 

Bob78

All-Conference
Jul 5, 2001
1,582
3,671
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Tough to put that on the runner. If he was reading both the third baseman and his coach, neither reacted like there was a play on him. Coach has the whole play unfolding in front of him and, from the little bit we see of him in this clip at least, doesn’t show any urgency.
I think they share the blame. Could be that the 3rd base coach took his eyes off the throw, and the runner probably should have been thinking slide anyway - they know the arm strength of the opposition.
In any event, it was certainly a great throw. Fun to watch those big-time defensive plays.
 
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