Deadspin: wizard cat defensive player of the day

Alexei Ramirez Has A Magical Glove

Rick Chandler — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:30:09 EDT

It's not like White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez has gone unnoticed for his hustle and defensive prowess thus far, but come on; this is close to supernatural. Look at this play by Ramirez in the seventh against the Rangers on Wednesday; sleight of hand worthy of the Magic Castle. Wizard Cat grants this play: Seven wands.

Owner of one of the greatest of all nicknames, The Cuban Missile played six seasons in Cuba before coming to MLB via the Dominican; having tried out for several teams before agreeing to a deal wit the White Sox. And those teams that didn't want him were who, exactly? Ramirez hit his first career grand slam on Tuesday, also against the Rangers. Chicago won on Wednesday 10-8.

Too bad, Ichiro Suizuki ... on any other day, you would have been going home with a duffel bag stuffed with wands.

Ramirez' Flip Play [MLB.com]

Aaron Rowand Is The Illusionist

Rick Chandler — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:30:35 EDT

Well, the All-Star rosters are complete, except for one spot on each team. Internet voting to determine those last two spots ends on Thursday at 2 p.m. PST, and Aaron Rowand of the San Francisco Giants would like your vote. Following the jump you will find his campaign video. The action is from Friday's game with the Dodgers, as Giants center fielder Fred Lewis tracks down a fly ball, but has it pop out of his glove for a sure error. But wait, there's Rowand! Will he catch it?

Ironically only the second-weirdest play in the outfield in the majors on Friday, Rowand barehanded the carom out of Lewis' glove for the out. The Giants went on to lose to the Dodgers however, 10-7.

For reviving the lost art of backing up a teammate in the outfield, Wizard Cat gives this play: Seven wands.

Giants Highlights [MLB.com]
A-Rod Receives Most Votes; Red Sox, Cubs Fill Up All-Star Rosters [CBS Sportsline]