Okay, So, Here's the Catch...

Sometimes great catches don't come from just the major leagues.  And sometimes the context is what makes a catch even better.  And sometimes, it's the very best when it comes from a player in the Chicago Cubs system!

Okay, I'm biased on the third point.

Last night, the Tennessee Smokies (the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) were in extra innings of a tied 2-2 game against the Mobile Bay Bears.  In the top of the 12th inning, with the bases loaded and two out, the Mobile batter sent a line shot deep into the left-field corner, sure to go the wall and clear the bases, giving them an almost insurmountable 5-2 lead.  That's when the Smokies' left-fielder Jacob Hannemann ignored the threat to his body and just dove, laying himself out, almost flying through the air to make the catch and end the threat.

It saved the game, too, since Cubs' top-prospect Kyle Schwarber got the game-winning hit in the bottom of the inning.  O joy!  Huzzah.

This is catch.  The context makes it all the more impressive and dramatic, but...man, it's still terrific all on its own.