It had the makings of being an absolutely sensational play during the World Series from a future Hall of Famer. Only it wasn’t.
In fact, it was a dud in every sense of the word.
During the fourth inning of Wednesday’s Game 2 between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros, Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman hit a slow chopper toward third base. Astros pitcher Justin Verlander skedaddled of the mound, grabbed the ball with his bare hand while falling to his back and attempted to throw out Zimmerman at first.
Unfortunately for Verlander — and kind of comically — the ball went off the pitchers left leg, securing the single for Zimmerman.
Verlander and FOX’s World Series announcers Joe Buck and John Smoltz got a bit of a chuckle after the play.
Justin Verlander tried to make a play while falling down and ended up throwing the ball into his own leg ? pic.twitter.com/skNCND0NTE
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2019
the funniest part of this is the camera jerk when the operator realizes that the ball is not actually en route to first base
— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) October 24, 2019
Verlander realizes the throw was errant so blocks it with his own shin.
— Seth C. Payne (@SethCPayne) October 24, 2019
