#37 06/10/97 – Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City - Jim Edmonds’ Catch

It was simply the greatest catch in Angels’ history – and arguably the greatest catch in baseball history! It has been favorably compared to Willie Mays’ fabulous World Series catch. Although most fans give Mays’ catch the nod, most analysts agree that is because Willie made his catch on baseball’s biggest stage. Umpire Dave Phillips, who witnessed the catch in person, claimed, “That made Willie Mays’ play look routine.”

It happened during the fifth inning of a 1-1 tie versus Kansas City. The Royals had two on and two outs with David Howard at the plate. Howard lined a fly ball to straightaway CF. Jim Edmonds, who preferred to play shallow, raced back full throttle and leaped, fully extended, to snag the ball as it sailed over his head. Jim did a belly flop onto the centerfield grass, slid the warning track, and rolled onto his holding the glove aloft for the umpire to see. Inning over!

When the Angels came to bat the very next inning, Edmonds was due up third. With one out, and Darin Erstad at third, Edmonds proceeded to double in the go ahead run, helping the Angels to a 6-2 victory, and a half game lead in the West.

Although the Angels failed to make the postseason that year, that amazing catch remains etched in the minds of those lucky enough to see it. The Catch propelled Edmonds to his first of eight Gold Glove Awards. In 2002, it was ranked by USA Today as the third “Most Amazing Play” in baseball history, behind Mays and one by baseball’s Wizard – Ozzie Smith. MLB’s Prime 9 rated it #1.