The Atlanta Braves displayed version 2 of Derek Jeter’s iconic ‘Flip Play’. Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday night documents the legendary move played out again. This Braves’ third baseman stole the show, becoming the star at Truist Park and earning a new name for himself. A rare privilege not everyone is destined to get.
Pulling off a historically epic move is no easy feat. But when history repeats itself, it does so with greater vigor. What happened in the Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies game was a call back to Derek Jeter’s move in 2001. With that jaws dropped and pandemonium broke out among fans.
An Iconic Feat By Atlanta Braves
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
First off, Austin Riley led the Braves into the series with a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning’ bottom. Second off, he sealed the game by pulling off a Derek Jeter only more impressively. To give more details, Riley drove his barrel down at the spinning baseball and lifted it up and over the bullpen wall in right field. As the pitch landed in the lower-middle portion of the strike zone, the crowd roared in jubilation, “HOLY SHIT”!
WHAT AN ENDING HOLY SHIT pic.twitter.com/Ibe1AbqJkL
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 10, 2023
Just a couple of innings ago, a rather reserved Braves looked done and dusted. But soon after, the 104-win Braves had their fans celebrating. Thanks to the $212 million player’s clutch smash. Later, FOX Sports quoted Riley recounting the feeling of a season-altering swing.
“The pitch comes, and it’s normal speed, but once you make contact, it’s slow. From home to first, everything slows down. But then you hit first, and all it speeds back up.” There were, however, other details that led to Atlanta’s victory.
In the 5-4 Braves’ win, the Phillies could afford to walk Riley in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs. Including a runner on third, they could have continued playing. Riley said before the game that he anticipated Jeff Hoffman to throw a fastball. With high stakes in a chaotic season, he allowed three hits and just one home run.
Nevertheless, stimulated the fans like never before.
The Fans Picked Up Austin Riley’s Similarities With Derek Jeter And Flooded Twitter
The power-fueled fan base was quick to pick up on the similarity between Austin’s and Jeter’s play. Some said that Riley was better, while some stood by Jeter and his pioneering hit. Either way, the fans had strong emotions to share.
One fan, drawing similarities, said, “goes into the field and pulls a Derek Jeter”.
Austin Riley hit the go ahead/game winning HR then goes into the field and pulls a Derek Jeter
He wasn’t the cutoff man, nor the 2nd cutoff. Man was at 3rd, saw the ball sailing right & went and made a play pic.twitter.com/vS7bX1vi47
— Joe Hunk (@JoeHunk) October 10, 2023
Another fan said that Riley’s flip was far better.
What Austin Riley does on this play is 10x more impressive than what Jeter did on the flip play at home
— Luke Martin (@LukeMartin6) October 10, 2023
The praises flowed in more.
this back up play from Austin Riley is FAR better than Derek Jeter’s against Oakland.
talk about knowing how to field a position and doing your job. this is fucking incredible defensive baseball from the Braves.
manufacturing outs.
pic.twitter.com/nIkkHak83A— Depressed Red Sox Fan (@_Dannypierce04) October 10, 2023
Some fans called Austin Riley a “great example”.
Also Austin Riley is a great example of if you’re standing around in baseball you’re doing something wrong. There’s always a place to be. Follow the ball. That throw from Harris missed two cutoffs and he was there to make the play. Jeter like
— F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) October 10, 2023
Some fans were generous enough to call him the “new Derek Jeter”.
Austin Riley really is the new Derek Jeter
— Rowan ⭐ (@twilightakemi) October 10, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With that, the Braves, despite trailing for most of the game till the bottom of the sixth inning, scored five runs to get the turnaround win and evened out the series at 1-1.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But the game is far from over. One can only wait and watch how the postseason unfurls for the Atlanta Braves.
Watch This Story : Atlanta Braves fan chase Elliott reacts to major Freddie Freeman development