In Jeter’s case, the eyes have it
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Monday’s third game of the American League Championship Series at Angel Stadium, which the Angels won 5-4 in 11 innings, had so many memorable moments that one of the more heads-up plays in postseason history got lost in the shuffle. But without it, the game likely never would have carried into extra innings.
With the game tied in the bottom of the eightth inning, Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu led off with a double to center. With both shortstop Derek Jeter and second baseman Robinson Cano leaving second base to race out for the relay throw, the speedy Abreu rounded the base aggressively and appeared to have designs on a triple before slamming on the brakes and heading back to second -- which he thought had been abandoned.
What Abreu didn’t know, though, was that first baseman Mark Teixeira had followed him around the bases and was now standing at second. Jeter knew it -- or at least sensed it. So when he got the ball he immediately threw behind the runner and Abreu was out easily.
The next two batters went quietly and the inning was over.
‘He’s got eyes in the back of his head,’ Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said of Jeter. ‘He’s got field sense like no one in baseball.’
-- Kevin Baxter