VIDEO: Javier Baez Continues His "El Mago" Magic Act With Mets

 

Javy Baez was given the nickname "El Mago" (The Magician) in 2016, and even wore it for his jersey on the MLB Players Weekend in 2017-18. It has proven very apropos many times throughout his career with the Chicago Cubs, and now again with his new team, the New York Mets. Baez somehow eluded the tag with this slick trick slide Wednesday night:

The ball arrived well before Baez, but "El Mago" was able to fake the slide with his left hand, then contort his body and touch home plate with his right hand before Miami Marlins catcher Alex Jackson could figure out how to tag him. 

Even Baez himself couldn't figure out how he did it. "I just reached my hand, I really don’t know how to explain it,” he said.

But Baez didn't stop there...

The go-ahead home run led to a crucial Mets victory, and he let the Marlins' fans above the Miami dugout know about it, trash-talking them on his way home. 

Mets manager Luis Rojas marveled at all that Baez did for his team in this one: "He’s just a special player. Of course the home run to take the lead was the biggest highlight for me, but the slide at home plate was special. He can beat you in so many ways.”

The Mets are clinging to a 1.5 game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies, atop the NL East, and they'll need lots more magic from "El Mago" if they're going to pull a division title out of their sleeves.

Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports