Overview
- Nico Hoerner executed a between‑the‑legs, no‑look flip to first base that resulted in an out on a bunt in the fifth inning at Wrigley Field.
- The play began on a first‑pitch bunt by César Salazar that pulled beyond pitcher Colin Rea, and Hoerner charged, scooped the ball with his bare right hand and flipped to first baseman Michael Busch for the out.
- Hoerner first drew attention for the move in a viral Spring Training 2024 clip and attempted a similar in‑game flip in April 2025, showing this was a practiced improvisation rather than a one‑off stunt.
- Hoerner is a two‑time National League Gold Glove winner and entered play ranked high in Statcast metrics, including fielding run value and outs above average, underscoring that the throw fits a season‑long pattern of elite defense.
- The crowd cheered the highlight, which will likely appear on reels, but the play did not change the result of the game as the Cubs lost 3‑0 to the Astros.