San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman has four Gold Glove Awards in his trophy cabinet for a reason.
With Friday’s game against the New York Mets on the line, Chapman didn’t even need a glove to seal the Giants’ 8-7 victory at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y.
The stage was set for a Hollywood finish for Mets batter Mark Vientos. He worked a full count against Giants closer Camilo Doval with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.
However, it was Chapman who played a starring role in the moment. Vientos hit a weak dribbler to third base that appeared destined to be an infield hit. Chapman flashed his Gold Glove fielding ability with a barehanded throw to get Vientos out at first.
MATT CHAPMAN AND LAMONTE WADE JR. ARE YOU KIDDING ME pic.twitter.com/38d55R1iSE
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 25, 2024
Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. also made an excellent pick to keep the tying run from scoring.
Here’s another angle of the spectacular defensive play by Chapman.
Give Matt Chapman the gold glove right now pic.twitter.com/J0kIAsCI1c
— Alex (@Dubs408) May 25, 2024
Making such a tough play at any point in the contest would be difficult enough. But Chapman showed incredible poise by doing so with the bases loaded and game on the line.
There were rumblings last offseason that Chapman would leave for an American League rival. Instead, Chapman signed a short term deal with the Giants to push his next big payday down the road.
If Chapman goes on to win his fifth Gold Glove this season, there would most likely be several suitors lining up for his services.
