Javier Baez’s 2021 PNC Park Baserunning Chaos Turns Five

On May 27, 2021, with two outs in the top of the third at PNC Park, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez hit a routine grounder to Pirates third baseman Erik Gonzales. Instead of advancing, Baez ran backward toward home, pulling first-base defender Will Craig off the bag. As Craig tried to recover, Willson Contreras sprinted from second, slid home safely, and Baez continued his reverse run, ultimately reaching second after a series of errant throws that landed in right field. The Cubs later added an RBI single and won 5-3.

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Baez later said he improvised, mouthing “I’m safe, right?” and praised his tagging instincts. Pirates pitcher Tyler Anderson called the sequence “utter chaos.” First-base umpire Gabe Morales noted the throw was offline and wondered why Baez didn’t step on first. Cubs manager David Ross said he “couldn’t believe they didn’t do that” when Craig tried to tag Contreras. Pirates manager Derek Shelton labeled the play “a freaky, one-time-in-a-lifetime” moment.

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Umpire Ryan Additon said he and Baez called the runner safe at home. Morales emphasized his caution, noting the throw was off-line and that he avoided a close call at the plate. Ross explained he expected the defense to simply step on first. Shelton added that the play “will pop up in texts and feeds.” Broadcasters Boog Sciambi and Jim Deshaies described the sequence as “one of the most wild” they had witnessed.

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Morales questioned Baez’s choice not to touch first, and Craig’s decision to flip the ball to home rather than first risked erasing the run. Adam Frazier admitted he “didn’t know what else to do” and ran toward first. The episode highlighted ambiguities in the rule that a runner must stay within the baseline to avoid an out, prompting debate among players and officials about proper baserunning protocol.

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Additon’s claim of a safe call at home differs from Morales’s description of waiting for a tag, revealing divergent umpire perspectives on the precise moment. No video evidence is provided, leaving the exact timing unresolved.

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• “I'm safe, right?” — Javier Baez, Cubs shortstop

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• “The throw was offline. I'm waiting for a potential pulled foot or a swipe tag. It didn't turn into that obviously. He started chasing the guy. I was thinking, 'Why doesn't he just step on first?'” — Gabe Morales, first-base umpire

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• “May as well see a bearded lady and an elephant walking on a tightrope.” — Joe Block, Pirates radio announcer

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Five years after the play, Baez, Contreras and Craig still receive texts and social-media mentions each May 27. The sequence is repeatedly cited as a benchmark of unconventional baserunning, reinforcing Baez’s nickname “El Mago” and illustrating baseball’s capacity for split-second improvisation.

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