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The play to end the game last night was a top 10 of arenados career. The was between a short hop and an in-between hop and he made it flawlessly, and in the only possible way. One of the most impressive plays I’ve seen in recent memory, especially considering the timing.

woofy25 wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 04:32 am The play to end the game last night was a top 10 of arenados career. The was between a short hop and an in-between hop and he made it flawlessly, and in the only possible way. One of the most impressive plays I’ve seen in recent memory, especially considering the timing.

He is as good as it gets defensively. It was a fantastic play to end the game.

You just dont see 3b make that play, bare handed, on that kind of a hop. Just dont see it.

Nado knew the situation, and knew the only way he gets that out is yo do it that way. Even then, it was a bang-bang play at first.

RamFan08NY wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 06:40 am You just dont see 3b make that play, bare handed, on that kind of a hop. Just dont see it.

Nado knew the situation, and knew the only way he gets that out is yo do it that way. Even then, it was a bang-bang play at first.

If I’m not mistaken he did it barehanded. Great play and it came at a great time, ninth inning, second and third, tying run on third.

Who is the best 3B defender in the history of the game can be argued and debated. But Nado will always be in that argument. His defensive excellence is what is holding his value and is what will give him the longevity needed to make the HOF.

To me even more impressive than the hop was doing it while the runner was basically hovering over his shoulder... keeping his cool and executing in that situation is pretty amazing.

3dender wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 07:27 am To me even more impressive than the hop was doing it while the runner was basically hovering over his shoulder... keeping his cool and executing in that situation is pretty amazing.

Not to mention he didn’t get full arm extension to throw, kinda winged it as well. Every piece of that play was an amazement, and for all that wonder to come together is a miracle.

Fantastic play. I hope those teams needing a third baseman were watching.

That game ending play was enormous. Not many third sackers make that play, nor the play he made earlier to rob Suzuki of an extra base hit. He only knocked that one down, but nearly threw Suzuki out at first. It saved a run also.

Those two plays plus Burleson's catch in the net and his nice catch of PCA's bloop were also huge. Great defense and timely offense were much in evidence last night. GREAT ballgame!!

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 07:31 am

3dender wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 07:27 am To me even more impressive than the hop was doing it while the runner was basically hovering over his shoulder... keeping his cool and executing in that situation is pretty amazing.

Not to mention he didn’t get full arm extension to throw, kinda winged it as well. Every piece of that play was an amazement, and for all that wonder to come together is a miracle.

I noticed that too! When he let go of that throw I thought there was not way it would have enough on it to get the out.

Rolen was my favorite Cardinal for years and Arenado is my current because of plays like that. I know he has his detractors and has declined, but a servicable bat and really good defense, with the occasional flashes of greatness on both sides is still quite enjoyable to me.

+3 DRS
+3 OAA

He won't win any more Gold Gloves but like last night he can still pull off some Gold Glove caliber plays!

Oh BTW, he's having a pretty nice June too:

4 HR
12 RBI's
.299 .333 .468 .801

Reading his quotes today, "most fun (he's) had in two years" and it shows.

CorneliusWolfe wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 08:27 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 07:31 am

3dender wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 07:27 am To me even more impressive than the hop was doing it while the runner was basically hovering over his shoulder... keeping his cool and executing in that situation is pretty amazing.

Not to mention he didn’t get full arm extension to throw, kinda winged it as well. Every piece of that play was an amazement, and for all that wonder to come together is a miracle.

I noticed that too! When he let go of that throw I thought there was not way it would have enough on it to get the out.

Rolen was my favorite Cardinal for years and Arenado is my current because of plays like that. I know he has his detractors and has declined, but a servicable bat and really good defense, with the occasional flashes of greatness on both sides is still quite enjoyable to me.

Yea me too. Never thought he’d make that caliber throw. Just a superb play.

It was incredible. The early play where he knocked down the line drive and almost threw him out was also amazing.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 08:28 am +3 DRS
+3 OAA

He won't win any more Gold Gloves but like last night he can still pull off some Gold Glove caliber plays!

Oh BTW, he's having a pretty nice June too:

4 HR
12 RBI's
.299 .333 .468 .801

Reading his quotes today, "most fun (he's) had in two years" and it shows.

Baseball Reference has additional defensive metrics on top of Fangraphs and Statcast - for instance:
His Range Factor per 9 innings vs the league is 2.81 vs 2.53, very good. And his Range Factor per game is likewise great: his 2.73 vs. league avg. 2.50. His defensive runs saved is +4.

ClassicO wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 08:38 am It was incredible. The early play where he knocked down the line drive and almost threw him out was also amazing.

That would've went on his HOF highlight reel had he pulled it off.

ClassicO wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 08:43 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025 08:28 am +3 DRS
+3 OAA

He won't win any more Gold Gloves but like last night he can still pull off some Gold Glove caliber plays!

Oh BTW, he's having a pretty nice June too:

4 HR
12 RBI's
.299 .333 .468 .801

Reading his quotes today, "most fun (he's) had in two years" and it shows.

Baseball Reference has additional defensive metrics on top of Fangraphs and Statcast - for instance:
His Range Factor per 9 innings vs the league is 2.81 vs 2.53, very good. And his Range Factor per game is likewise great: his 2.73 vs. league avg. 2.50. His defensive runs saved is +4.

Yep

And that 2.81 is higher than both 2023 & 2024, same w/the range factor 2.73!

His defense has actually improved over those two season, too bad K. Hayes (+10 DRS/+12 OAA) is around.