It wasn't quite Derek Jeter leaping into the stands to make a catch -- which, because of expanded netting, wouldn't even be possible in today's game -- but New York Yankees shortstop Gio Urshela made a play Sunday that might ultimately be seen as the best defensive play of 2021.
With the Yankees attempting to secure the top Wild Card spot in the American League, the 29-year-old ran into the Tampa Bay Rays dugout to make a catch in the top of the sixth inning:
ESPN's Jeff Passan says that Urshela ran 126 total feet to make this catch, doing so at a pace of 27.3 feet per second. It's fair to wonder if he would have put his body on the line like this if it had been a typical regular season game.
Fortunately, Urshela was able to remain in the game after making this catch.
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