I haven't done a play at the plate card (officially) since January so it's way overdue. I pulled this one from my Series 2 blaster so I thought I'd do a little research and see what I could find.
September 4, 2011: Cincinnati vs. St. Louis
It's the top of the 4th inning and the Reds are up 2-1. Juan Francisco steps to the plate with one out. Edwin Jackson throws the pitch and Francisco drives the ball to deep left. He ends up on 2nd base. Ryan Hanigan follows Fransisco with a walk and up steps Bronson Arroyo. You know what's coming next. Sacrifice bunt.
Francisco and Hanigan move up to 3rd and 2nd as Brandon Phillips comes to bat with two outs. The count evens at 1-1 and Edwin Jackson uncorks a wild pitch.
Francisco breaks for home. The Cardinals catcher, Gerald Laird, scrambles to retrieve the ball as Edwin Jackson races in to cover home.
Laird tosses to Jackson and Francisco is OUT! Even though Laird and Jackson saved a run in the 4th, Juan Francisco would have his revenge as he drove a run in the top of the 10th inning that gave the Reds a 3-2 win.
I like this card because it shows the pitcher covering home. We just wrapped up our Spring Little League season and I can't tell you how many times our pitchers failed to cover home. It cost us a ton of runs. This just goes to show you that good things happen when you listen to the coach.
This card is an example of why I do not like 2012 Topps. It is too zoomed in and you lose part of the story. It's pretty good, but it could have been a great card.
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