The Cardinals Made the Most Chaotically Beautiful Defensive Play

Everything went wrong and then everything went right.

Cardinals pitcher Steven Matz had his best start of the season on Sunday against the White Sox, thanks in part to a wacky, amazing defensive play he and Paul Goldschmidt combined to make in the third inning. 

With two outs in the inning, Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson hit a hard line drive right back to the mound. Matz tried to catch the 99.4 mph comebacker but the ball knocked the glove right off his hand. It squirted weakly into no man’s land between first base and the mound, where Goldschmidt dropped to a knee, picked it up and threw to first, all in one motion. Matz, having recovered in time to cover the base, stepped on first to retire the speedy Anderson. 

Glove flip and a beaut! pic.twitter.com/K8HKhoSRg9

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 9, 2023

Everything had to go right for the Cardinals after the ball deflected off of Matz’s glove. And it did. Matz somehow managed to catch his flying mitt and put it back on his hand while sprinting to the base—not to mention the presence of mind to immediately rush to cover the bag while his glove was still spinning in the air. Don’t overlook Goldschmidt’s perfect flip, either. That’s why he’s won four Gold Gloves. Voters should remember this play when deciding whether he wins a fifth this season. 

Fans were in awe of the play: 

This is absolutely phenomenally amazingly…. and then some … fantastical! 🤣 https://t.co/lWKNqmdrvo

— Mike Sigers (@MikeSigers) July 9, 2023

Wait!?!

I want that level of hand eye coordination! 👀 https://t.co/2HP5myUPhn

— David_Shawn (@Hank42) July 9, 2023

What a play!! https://t.co/n9Qdhuh1n0

— Variety Sports Network (@variety_sports) July 9, 2023

Awesome. #STLCards https://t.co/U5lbULQQrr

— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) July 9, 2023