CHICAGO – When Cincinnati Reds players and coaches returned to the clubhouse after their 4-3 victory at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, a lot of the discussion centered around Kyle Farmer’s over-the-shoulder running catch in the eighth inning.
Jonathan India thought it was the best catch he’s seen from a shortstop this season. Manager David Bell said the clubhouse consensus was it was one of the best defensive plays they’ve seen all year.
“There is a backstory behind that play,” Farmer said.
Farmer has a flashback every time there is a low line drive in the Bermuda Triangle between left field, center field and shortstop. On March 6, 2011, when Farmer was playing shortstop at the University of Georgia, a similar play had a tragic outcome.
Converging on a low line drive, center fielder Zach Cone and left fielder Jonathan Taylor collided as they attempted to make the catch with Cone sliding and Taylor diving at full speed. Taylor’s head hit Cone’s hip, fracturing his C-5 and C-6 vertebrae, and paralyzing him from the chest down.
