When it comes to smooth slides, Trea Turner is the undisputed MLB champ. But even Turner hasn’t pulled off a slide quite like the one we saw from Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias on Wednesday.
He went right through the catcher’s legs.
During the afternoon matchup against the Royals, the Guardians looked to add to their early lead after Steven Kwan knocked a one-out single to center field. Arias made a great read on the ball, taking off on contact and continuing home. But Kyle Isbel came up firing with his throw to the plate, forcing Arias to break out one of the cooler slides we’ll see this season.
Problem: Play at the plate.
Solution: Slide between the catcher's legs. 😂 pic.twitter.com/P5XYH7SZF4
— MLB (@MLB) July 26, 2023
Again, he went right through catcher Freddy Fermin’s legs and beat the tag.
Home plate umpire Pat Hoberg surprisingly missed the call on the field and initially ruled Arias out at the plate. An argument could have been made that Arias should have been safe regardless with Fermin blocking the plate. But the crew would get the call right after review and give Arias the run.
That slide was key. It was so smooth, and MLB fans agreed.
This was how Twitter reacted
Gotta time this one juuuuuuust right 😅😅😅😅😅 https://t.co/A9nmepq7jg
— one cleveland baseball fan (@1CLEbaseballfan) July 26, 2023
I watched this at work and audibly gasped https://t.co/4ow0ppkQie
— ↁ𝖩 (@D33JxY) July 26, 2023
Slide at Home Plate of the Year https://t.co/HFqlj0OyYY
— oh hi there (@TheTrollMiester) July 26, 2023
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nutmeg slide in my life before. That was awesome! https://t.co/rxEkjuM7L3
— Eric Sklar (@TheDukeOfSports) July 26, 2023
Play of the day! https://t.co/SWUif9xM2b
— 🏈⚾ ⛳ Gabriele 🖤💙 (@Gabgar71) July 26, 2023
Play of the Season perhaps💪🏽 https://t.co/O7jFuDfnQu
— TheGreatRob (@TheGreatRob) July 26, 2023
The Human Nutmeg https://t.co/2xcw8yL0IM
— Aaron (@aaronreading) July 26, 2023
This is pretty cool https://t.co/IbtERsLBbN
— Brooke (Foster) Downing (@brooke_downing_) July 26, 2023
That was so smooth https://t.co/x2Ox6wUjcS
— Milo (62-39) (@oriolesvsmlb) July 26, 2023
the quickest way to home plate is evidently a straight line https://t.co/LFim1bZeGk
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) July 26, 2023
https://t.co/1sIL9xFnSm pic.twitter.com/tfvsfiwTgX
— Scoops (@ejmaroun) July 26, 2023
This, Jose stealing home, and Bo's 360 no scope throw to 2nd have been the hardest plays for me this year so far https://t.co/QWSvFZvNzm
— AlaSama (@bomonttyler) July 26, 2023
The Guardians went on to win, 8-3.
