Yelich Steals Home on Catcher Napping

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[@24JohnE]

It's great to see this happen at the major league level. I stole home the same way in a game in Japan 48 years ago! The pitcher was left-handed. The catcher lobbed the ball back to the pitcher and I was a fast runner. Earlier in the same game, I stole home on the pitcher. His back was turned to me and he never looked my way. I played 3 seasons in Japan and only attempted 2 steals of home, and both were successful in the same game!

[@blueconversechucks]

Ok the second time in one game is even more impressive. You would think the secret was out!

[@24JohnE]

@@blueconversechucks Thanks. I think that after the second steal, the secret was out. That might be why I never attempted another steal of home! Now, if someone could steal home against a right-handed pitcher, that would truly be amazing!

[@shannonwalker6944]

And then you were deported.

[@24JohnE]

@@shannonwalker6944 🤣🤣🤣

[@jimdennis9328]

Yelich has 190 SB in his career as of 22 May 24, including 28 last year. At 32 maybe a little past his prime, but definitely no slouch.

[@Bananaphuz]

Right?!?! I’m thinking what is this guy talking about.

[@PhilthyCards]

@@Bananaphuz Yelich is good at stealing bases but only about slightly above average in terms of sprint speed. About 63rd percentice according to baseball savant.

[@jimstepan3038]

This guy is "in the game"!!! (He watches for opponent's weaknesses)

[@erikw1636]

@@PhilthyCards Sprint speed is one data point. Anticipation, reaction time, situational awareness, etc. are "unmeasurable" and therefore discarded because it doesn't fit the model. It's the same reason that guys in the NFL who crush the combine can suck and a WR who runs a 4.6 can have a good career. Yellich is baseball fast, which is more important IMO.

[@pologolfalpha8747]

"Don't sell yourself short, Judge. You're a tremendous slouch." 😆

[@bucksdiaryfan]

I thought he ran when he saw the ball was lobbed -- I didn't realize he was already 3 or 4 strides into his steal while the catcher still had the ball. That was courageous. Also, incredible that the pitcher made it a close play

[@jimstepan3038]

He waited for the catcher to get both knees on the ground!! 😉

[@dentonyoung4314]

Nice alertness by Yelich. He doesn't have Rickey Henderson speed, but he's really good from the neck up.

[@jimstepan3038]

Well put!! 👍🏻

[@aarond23]

A major league catcher should know better than to lollipop throw with runners on base, especially 3rd

[@tylerlinzmeier3258]

Didn't even bother to check him at the least

[@mptr1783]

Marlins arent a major league team

[@glasshalffull2930]

@@mptr1783 😂 Brutal !

[@donovanwolfchild2461]

Yup he just tossed a looper zero strength

[@troy2227]

@@mptr1783😂

[@robertewalt7789]

Also, Yellich has a pretty good lead off the base to start.

[@kenherrera2819]

That lead alone sould have made the catcher check the base before throwing back to the pitcher, and to throw directly, not throw that silly slow, looping ball!

[@TheArtOfDean]

I believe this is Fortes who's behind the plate, a veteran catcher who should know better. Excellent awareness on the part of Yelich.

[@brewsnoop]

Yelich may not have 4.5 speed but he is a very smart runner with phenomenally long strides.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

For sure

[@amonrodriguez3518]

Exactly it’s crazy that he’s doing everything to not call em slow

[@kingyellowman5762]

It also helps that the pitcher is left handed & kept his back to 3rd base the entire time. He could've alerted the catcher before he threw the ball if he had ever looked

[@itisaporsche]

I came to say same thing. I was a left-handed pitcher in High school and was always worried about this play.

[@verkuilb]

Very appropriate that the advertising slogan painted on the field along the third base line said, “SAFE AT HOME”.

[@avsalom6632]

Yelich is deceptively fast.He has a very long stride which makes him appear slow but is actually quite fast.

[@JeremyNiemczyk]

A great play by the pitcher to make it that close.

[@mullet75]

Yeah, ran into the throw, barehanded, and fired it right back

[@jasonpendergraft4511]

Caught ‘em napping

[@Carlton-B]

The batter was in on it. Instead of being in the front of the batters' box, he was way in the back, blocking the view. They must have practiced this move, and waited for the right situation.

[@somerandomguy5977]

Nobody bats set in the front of the box anymore and most players bat set in the back of the box nowadays because of increased velocity and players no longer moving around the box.

[@thomaspick4123]

Of course the batter was in on it. The batter did move away later. Good teams have good coaches that train their players to do such things.

[@mastod0n1]

Almost every single batter has their back foot on the back line of the batter's box all the time. And the batter probably wasn't in on it, he just moved out of the way when he realized what was happening.

[@terrapingee]

Your dissection of the finer points of baseball has renewed my interest in the sport, really

[@stich21]

Yelich is an excellent runner actually.

[@daifeichu]

Looks like he's in the top 10-15% according to baseball savant

[@brandonjusblong]

Speed is important but confidence and baseball smarts is a must whenever you’re stealing at a high level like that

[@cheapercharlie]

i came here to say this plus he was maybe a step or two faster back in the day.

[@jeremy454]

Yep, he is still way above average runner

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I didn’t say he was bad, just said he wasn’t very fast.

[@BrianDominy]

Interesting to see the third baseman knows what's up and rushes the bag, before the catcher throws the ball. He should be yelling at the catcher, but it's hard to tell if that's the case.

[@rocket8351]

Yelich is an excellent runner.

[@danrose3233]

Stealing home actually works better when the runner is not a speedster because that is when the catcher ignores the runner. A runner who is known to be fast will get looked back. Stealing home is about deception not speed. Stealing 2nd is mostly about speed. Stealing 3rd is a combination of speed and deception.

[@chrisc765]

Just found this channel. PERFECT analysis! thanks~

[@nicknam8478]

He’s good keep watching

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!

[@harryschaefer8563]

Thanks for the good anaysis. Runner's good textbook slide did a good job of taking out the catcher.

[@jstbsims]

Great breakdown. Thnx

[@johnharrington1800]

Great breakdown of this place.

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

I like the way the pitcher Bare-Handed it and got it back pretty quick even though he was going to be safe no matter what

[@skexy]

I'd be interested to see the last few pitches before this; I'm guessing Yellich probably had a chance to take notice that the catcher wasn't paying attention to him and then watched another return or two to confirm it before taking the chance

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

Base running is so undervalued and underused in baseball, especially in lower level leagues.

[@BobStone-oc1wb]

Excellent explanation; great rundown?

[@BozoseCompany]

seemed like the batter knew it was coming and screened the catcher. what do ya think?

[@pdizzle995]

I stole home like that when I was 10 years old. It’s hard to not give it away as you take big leads and are timing the catcher for a few pitches.

[@johnrambo7630]

Cool breakdown. The anticipation was key

[@MH-Tesla]

This happened to my son once at 11 years old. Even after he did this as the runner. And the kid who did it to him was his arch rival. It hurt. I didn't need to say a thing. He was so pissed. Not one time, ever, did he not check the runner at third first before throwing back to the pitcher. Never. Even though no runner ever did this again, his last ever game as a varsity senior player, he still looked and made sure.

[@RetiredBrass]

I think that if there was a "Little League Play Book", this one would be in there. All (aspiring) catchers should be trained to always, always check the runner on 3rd. I know I was, even at the lowest competition level in The Netherlands. It truly baffles me that an MLB catcher let this happen.

[@jameslittle5214]

Our Jr High team has scored 16 runs doing it this season. Big secondary lead, and catcher gets lazy you go.

[@aspiceronni4462]

That is one fine case of heads up baserunning. Damn that was texbook.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Absolutely!

[@FranktheDachshund]

Wow the pitcher did it just about perfectly, the planets really had to align for that one.

[@joePARKS]

great video

[@chuckhepler4157]

Couple things to add. The third baseman didn’t fade toward to base to hold the runner. Even our high school girls softball team does that. And our catcher snaps the ball back and our pitchers stare the runners back Also the pitcher is left handed so his back is to the runner.

[@jeremy454]

He just needed to come in with his spikes in the air for a total Ty Cobb move

[@glacroix25]

Excellent heads-up play. I'm wondering if the catcher doesn't get called for not providing a lane and Yelich would be safe anyway?

[@capraagricola]

If I'm 3B I'm hollering at the top of my lungs to eat it as soon as Yelich breaks

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

great analysis - also the hitter got out of the way. What happens if the hitter stays I the batter's box - sounds messy then.

[@michaelweston2285]

the most exciting play in all of baseball

[@SchoolsWithTools]

Did you say it was first and third? Too bad the runner at first did not take second in all the confusion. Would have made the risk of an out at home more worth if the runner had gotten into scoring position.

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

Great breakdown and good play by Yeli but everything worked to perfection for this happen. This would work 1x out of like 20 attempts. Good for the mgr kit bag though in a tight game

[@chocolatecoveredgummybears]

LOL and the catcher got reamed in the legs. that's hilarious

[@RoughRaiders13]

I played Junior ball when I was younger and had six total stolen home bases. If they didn't know to look out for me already what I would do is take a laxidasical longer and longer lead with the first couple pitches and then kind of stroll back to third like I didn't have a care in the world and was actually kind of bored. Then the second I had my opportunity I'd strike and bolt towards home plate. You'd be surprised with enough acting, how little they pay attention and you could get almost halfway down the baseline for your lead without them thinking anything of it. Never got picked off either.

[@atroyz]

Great video. Not flashy, very much like a crime-scene procedural (it did involve a theft!). I’m a little league coach and I’ll show my players.

[@Mitten4371]

Yea the one thing that you are taught as an offensive player and as a defensive player is to try and lull the offense to sleep or to lull the defense to sleep. So that's what Yelich did here but the third baseman should have noticed something was up when Yelich started expanding his lead. But you are taught as a pitcher to pay attention to the base runners and I noticed that pitchers aren't paying attention to the runners and it allows runners to get huge leads. Plus you are taught as a pitcher to mix things up when you have runners on base. But when teams are not paying attention to the base runners well things like this can happen

[@countrycorner9337]

higher def video please 🙏🏼

[@blahdblah0007]

Helps that it’s a lefty pitcher too.

[@w9awx1]

Only seen this a couple of times this year. Being an outfielder, Yelich has above average speed but he is no sprinter. He does have really good running smarts though.

[@TroutWhistler]

I'm not sure what his speed is like these days, but pre-knee injury Yelich was known as one of the best base path runners in the league. At one point in his career a great base runner. Random stat, but just putting it out there.

[@samxyx]

what are your thoughts about sliding into home? Would it not be faster to run through it?

[@MrPaulMek]

Is any of this on 3B for not alerting to a larger secondary lead?

[@OwenDaBowen9]

i did the same in my "A" game in the playoffs

[@Schell77]

Only thing missing was R1 breaking for Second Base on the play. Any reason not to try for Second on that, or was he just caught flat-footed retreating to First?

[@mittmagician]

I think Yelich did it on his own - not a called steal.

[@handrail48]

If R1 broke for 2nd, the catcher would have been alerted and glanced to 3rd. The whole play hinged on not alerting the catcher.

[@pvblito]

R1 was definitely asleep. Especially if less than 2 outs. He should have broke as soon as the pitcher threw home. He should be standing on 2b after this play.

[@davidarellano870]

I've coached pony thru colt and use this all the time

[@ianfrederixon2180]

wtf is pony and colt?

[@jasonfritz838]

If I compared Yelich and a former Brewer, Carlos Gomez... One was really fast, but a bad base runner. One has average speed, but is a great base runner. Speed definitely kills, but I'll take the smart guys over the guys with blind speed that might not use it all that well or use it in the wrong spots.

[@Torgonius]

It probably helps that Yelich isn't a huge base stealer. They aren't anticipating this as a possibility. If that was a really fast guy, he'd be getting checked (you hope).

[@geoffgordon9569]

Extra hour of catcher drills at next practice is warranted.

[@jameshayden3952]

Pitcher threw it a lotta bit high, still it's on the catcher's bloop toss back.

[@SuperOCHomes]

You always look back the runner, especially at third base. A feint throw if he is looking back at me and doesn't head back to the bag.

[@franzschubertv2874]

0:47 “Yelich is not a great runner”. Well, he’s got an 87% success rate stealing with Milwaukee (118 sb and 18 caught).

[@ThomasGlynnJr]

I've watched this movie every year around Memorial Day - it never fails to bring home the true meaning and spirit of the day...

[@aspiceronni4462]

Do you think he got a signal to steal? Or did he just see something he liked and went for it?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I’m guessing him and coach talked about it between pitches

[@mittmagician]

A smart vet like him always has the green light, I’m guessing.

[@kenherrera2819]

I think the signal was made, which also explains why the batter stood back in the box, blocking the catchers view of third base and why the runner didn't take off from first, which would have alerted the catcher to cover home by checking third, sending Yellich back to the bag. You don't want to give up a stolen 2nd base, but it is better than giving up a stolen home so the catcher should always check 3rd with runners at the points and the one at first takes off.

[@flickboogers9325]

4 other infielders there who didn't speak up as well

[@drumitar]

the barehand by the pitcher was pretty ssweet, if yelich would have been out at home they wouldnt try this play for 5 more seasons

[@CharlesBrown-dd8vz]

Why wouldn't the third baseman yell out? He had plenty of time between the runner taking off and the catcher making the throw.

[@chuckinhouston9952]

I'll bet he did yell.

[@TimFrakes]

Is this what MLB coaches and players do when the study film before/after a game? Really interesting insight and attention to detail.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yup this would definitely be something noticed on film

[@JesusRodriguez-gy5eu]

Yep you blame the catcher but the pitcher also has to try to keep the runner as close to the base as possible, so he caught both catcher and pitcher by suprises.

[@kenherrera2819]

The soft throw back to the pitcher gave Yellich another 3 1/2 steps toward home before the pitcher could throw the ball back.. Yellich touches home as the ball finally reaches the catcher's glove...too late to tag him out!

[@JonHassellProphecy]

Yelich is one of the greatest all around players barnon

[@rodger7029]

Having a left handed pitcher helps too

[@user-sy3ls4me1d]

At what point does the batter need to leave the batters box?

[@briangulley6027]

He doesn't, in fact if he moves and interferes with the play the runner is out.

[@genesispuredeaf2390]

When/if he would be preventing his runner from having access to the plate. As already noted, if he legitimately interferes with the catcher making a play, that’s bad on him. Usually backing out towards the back is a safe move for a batter to make.

[@briangulley6027]

@@genesispuredeaf2390 It's conceivable the batter could block the runner off the plate if he didn't move. Yes, 99% of the time backing out of the way is the best and safest option for everyone.

[@chhansen9813]

Technically he had more than a four step running start as he was 1/4 of the way to the plate to start! The 3rd basemen also should get some criticism for not keeping the runner in check!

[@bennybro2229]

Also I like to steal third and home on a left handed pitcher.

[@jlawrence0181]

What a tiny crowd. Where was the game played??

[@SebastianTheGreat]

He took revenge on his former team

[@chocolatecoveredgummybears]

@@Mr.Buttermaker he was making a joke, relax cupcake.

[@chocolatecoveredgummybears]

@@Mr.Buttermaker lol

[@action55jackson]

And the 3rd baseman needs to make a move to the base after every pitch to draw the runner back.

[@user-jp2ur1ep1r]

Assumiong the catcher KNEW there was a baserunner on 3rd, all he had to do was was stand-up, take a half step forward and check/hold the runner.

[@robertcuratolo5339]

Catcher wake up

[@trees3d]

Yelich stole 28 basses in 2023

[@danNat978]

Does it matter lefty or righty on the mound ?

[@kingyellowman5762]

Only if the pitcher isn't paying attention. If he was paying attention he could've alerted the catcher before he threw the ball back. Yelich was already running

[@genesispuredeaf2390]

A right handed pitcher might have the added benefit of pointing with his hand towards the runner on third (versus a gloved hand). The big thing is paying attention and communicating.

[@unclestinky6388]

A LHP makes it a little easier for the runner.

[@charliezicolillo]

i blame 3b,ss,2b,1b and the dugout not yelling.

[@rmp5s]

Ya just love to see it. Unless it's against you...then it's embarrassing af...lol

[@emilyperron5652]

With the rules nowadays, he probably would’ve been called safe anyways because it looked like the catcher blocked the plate before he got the ball too.

[@aFREEsportsbettingSYSTEM]

He did seem to jump out there almost as soon as he let it go.

[@Rick_King]

Who was the catcher?

[@mikeb1039]

Catcher deserved to get leveled. How do you have a runner on 3d and forget about him? You should be looking every pitch to see if you can catch HIM napping and pick him off. Is the catcher still with his team?

[@reformCopyright]

Complacency.

[@billjackson2024]

I thought it was illegal to block home plate without the ball. He was clearly blocking before the ball got in his glove

[@billtruttschel]

Did the runner at 1st steal 2nd on the same play?

[@kenherrera2819]

No, he didn't run because had he taken a large lead (like Yellich) the catcher would have started paying much more attention to 3rd base. It was a very smart move by every offensive player involved, which makes me believe this was a called steal of home.

[@pvblito]

No. R1 simply wasn't alert or was lazy. I would trade an out stealing 2b for stealing home any day. Odds are, you can get both without an out. If you're going to steal home, you should be taking 2b also.

[@JPINFV]

To rules lawyer this a bit. Technically, albeit unavoidable, there's also a violation of 6.01(i)(2) (home plate collision obstruction) since the catcher set up to receive the throw while blocking the plate, instead of ceding fair or foul territory and having the throw pull him into the baseline.

[@rdwells]

Perhaps not. Part of the rules states this: "Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)" My understanding is that since the throw came from the pitcher, 6.01(i)(2) does not apply. I suspect the reasoning behind that exception is that a throw from the pitcher (or drawn-in infielder) may not give the catcher time to get into a proper position to receive the throw without blocking the plate. I think that CCS reviewed a play earlier this season that involved this exception.

[@ingiford175]

@@rdwells He was blocking before he knew where the throw was going. His initial set up, when the pitcher caught the ball, he was already set up, and he was blocking the plate then.

[@joireland]

@@ingiford175 That's a tough one the ump would rarely catch that (in this case he didn't). However, if you noticed it as a coach (you'd need a TV replay for that) then you could appeal for replay review (it's one of those rules that's reviewable).

[@chuckinhouston9952]

That entire rule is totally gay. I remember when real men played the game. We didn't worry about hurt feelings. Running into the catcher was routine. I had many stolen bases in my amateur career, and several were just like this one.

[@joireland]

@@chuckinhouston9952 HaHa ... you tell 'em!!! I hate the video replay reviews too. It takes away from the real fun where the coach and ump go nose to nose (followed by coach kicking dirt on home plate). Those days made the beer and hotdogs taste much better :)

[@davewinter6067]

Why did the runner on first not advance on this play?

[@handrail48]

If R1 broke for 2nd, the catcher would have been alerted and glanced to 3rd. The whole play hinged on not alerting the catcher.

[@pvblito]

​@@handrail48he should have broke once the pitcher threw back home. The catcher would have to make the tag AND throw you out at 2b. That's not easy to do, so it should have been a go. R1 was lazy or not alert or too scared.

[@theupsndowns8161]

Should make that a play. Batter block the view of the lollygagging catcher with a runner on third

[@gabe9346]

Third baseman needs to holler

[@mesisson]

That catcher would've been chastised on my little league team.

[@user-vj2vm2wz3o]

OK we got it you did not have to do the Slow mo that many times

[@michaelthechimp7736]

The catcher has to check the runner on third base no excuses for this play.

[@bpmunroe]

IS there anyone actually there in the stands watching the game? Almost look so Ike a covid era game with no spectators.