This is the setting for Nelson Cruz's blunder from Thursday night. The Cardinals were down to their final strike as David Freese, who has had a hell of postseason, swings and hits a line drive to deep right field. Cruz, who is playing right field, is in a no doubles depth, playing deeper than usual.
Cruz starts back and takes a nonchalant approach as it seems to be a routine fly ball. He gets about 3 or 4 feet from the wall and does a half leap and completely misses the ball. The ball actually wasn't over his head, it hit the wall about halfway up on the right side of Cruz. His approach and jump makes it seem that he was scared of the wall.
Being an outfielder myself, you are taught as a little leaguer to sprint back, find the wall first, and then find the ball. Sometimes this can be more difficult than usual depending on positioning and the speed of the ball. Cruz completely misplayed the ball, and although his team didn't lose directly because of the play, he had a chance to end the series with a fairly routine catch.YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE GAME ENDING CATCH IN THE WORLD SERIES! GIVE MAXIMUM EFFORT AND BANG INTO THE PADDED WALL IF YOU HAVE TO!
As you know the Cardinals go on to win the game in the 11th inning off another big hit by David Freese. Game 7 is tonight, and Cruz better show up and the Rangers better win or he might just be the next Bill Buckner.
Here's the play if you haven't seen it:
