VIDEO: Remembering Endy Chavez's Insane Catch for Mets in 2006 NLCS Game 7
By Scott Rogust
The New York Mets have been much-maligned in recent years due to dysfunction across the front office and ownership. Even with all that to deal with, the team has still managed some epic runs in the MLB postseason, and nearly a decade before they made it to the 2015 World Series, there was the Mets' trip to the 2006 NLCS. They had an epic battle with the St. Louis Cardinals, culminating in Game 7 at Shea Stadium. With the game tied at 1-1, Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen looked to have a surefire two-run homer off Mets pitcher Oliver Perez. Instead, outfielder Endy Chavez leapt over the left field wall to make a terrific catch right before throwing out Jim Edmonds at first base to get New York out of the jam.
Miracle plays like this are what it's all about.
Unfortunately, the Mets stuck to the script in the latter portion of the game. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina would hit a two-run blast off Aaron Heilman in the ninth inning to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead. Even so, the Mets had hope, as they loaded the bases against Adam Wainwright with two outs with slugger Carlos Beltran approaching the plate. However, suddenly down 0-2 in the count, Beltran struck out looking -- despite the extremely hittable ball -- to hand the Redbirds the NL pennant.
The ultimate gut punch for Mets fans. Even so, the Chavez catch will go down in history as one of the single best defensive plays in franchise history.