Top 5 plays from the 1st half of the MLB season
We're at the unofficial halfway point of the MLB season and there have been dozens of jaw-dropping plays across the bigs to this point.
We narrowed the field down to the five best plays from the first half for your viewing pleasure:
1. Yoenis Cespedes' unbelievable throw to gun down Howie Kendrick at home plate
Cespedes has 11 outfield assists to his credit through 73 games but this unbelievable display of arm strength against the Los Angeles Angels is by far the most memorable.
2. Marlins' Ozuna throws out Mets' Nieuwenhuis at home to end game
He may not be a household name like Giancarlo Stanton, but Miami Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna made himself a few extra fans in a game against the Mets, after two incredible throws, more specifically, his ninth inning toss to home plate to end the game.
Ozuna tossed a beauty from left field to home plate to throw out the Mets' Kirk Nieuwenhuis. The throw can arguably be put in the same conversation with Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes,
3. Brock Holt bails out Jonny Gomes with sensational diving catch
Brock Holt made his first career start in center field on June 17 for the Boston Red Sox and made a play he'll never forget. Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier hits what appears to be a routine pop up to left field when Jonny Gomes loses it in the lights. Holt covers an absurd amount of ground and dives towards the Green Monster to make the grab and bail out his teammate.
4. Billy Hamilton's ridiculous tag-avoiding juke to earn bunt single
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton is making quite the name for himself with his blazing speed, which he showcased in a first-inning at-bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 11. Hamilton gets a little too much on a bunt attempt down the first base line, but somehow dodges the tag with a Matrix-like juke to claim a single.
5. Gordon Beckham redefines the "glove flip"
Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham has had his fair share of top-notch defensive plays so far this season, and he added another gem to his resume in late May vs. the San Diego Padres. Beckham had limited options when the speedy Everth Cabrera dropped down a bunt in the third inning, so he resorted to a good old-fashioned glove flip.
All videos courtesy of MLB.com
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