Many have tried, but only few have succeeded. On Wednesday, Anthony Rizzo joined that elite group.
We’re talking, of course, about the “ninja slide,” accomplished by creatively contorting one’s body to avoid a sure out. Rizzo found the need to deploy the tactic in the ninth inning of the Chicago Cubs’ game against the New York Mets, when Starlin Castro’s swing-and-miss on a hit-and-run attempt appeared to hang Rizzo out to dry as he tried to steal third.
But Rizzo is a crafty fellow.
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Rizzo’s slide was so crafty, in fact, that the Mets refused to believe it and challenged the ruling. The call stood, however, and Rizzo joined the likes of Jayson Werth and Mike Napoli as one of the few to successfully execute the ninja slide.
So what’s your secret, Anthony?
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The 25-year-old first baseman ended up getting stranded at third, but the Cubs rallied for two runs in the 11th inning — one of which was scored by Rizzo — to earn a 2-0 win.
Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images
