Watch Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s perfect outfield throw (over and over again)

“The Throw” was one of the greatest outfield assists in baseball history.

Last night against the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. made an absolute perfect throw to third baseman Nacho Alvarez, Jr. resulting in one of the most stunningly amazing outfield assists in the history of the game.

That’s no hyperbole.

With one out in the top of the third, Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider walked two batters resulting in Yankees’ third baseman Jorbit Vivas as the runner at second base.

New York’s next batter, Cody Bellinger, lofted a ball high and deep into the right field corner. Acuña, Jr. made the catch facing the foul line and in one pivot unleashed a dead-on, in-the-air throw to Alvarez, Jr. who tagged the unsuspecting Vivas before he touched third base has he was attempting to advance from second.

Breaking down the play – one that is sure to be know in Braves lore as “The Throw” – makes it even more impressive.

First, Acuña, Jr. had no momentum toward the infield. He was drifting toward the foul line make the catch, turned and made the throw almost completely flat-footed. No crow-hop. Not even a full step. Almost all arm. His movement wasn’t rushed with undue urgency; it was fluid but unassuming. Unleashed, the ball was a missile arriving at its target with exact precision.

Next was the tag by Alvarez, Jr. Because the throw was perfectly placed, Alvarez, Jr. didn’t have to trot into position nor make any last second, sudden movement to get his body in line to take the throw. He was stoic. So much so that Vivas, who wasn’t running to third with urgency, would have had no visual indication from Alvarez, Jr. that he throw was in-coming, much less on target. Alvarez, Jr. caught the ball and made the tag with such efficient movement Vivas didn’t have time to attempt to evade the tag by sliding or lunging away from Alvarez, Jr. for third base.

It was a perfect throw and perfect tag.

Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

The throw by Acuña, Jr. was so good that almost immediately it was drawing comparisons to other legendary outfield throws from the likes of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays and Dave Parker as well as outfield legends who sported incredible arms like Ichiro, Bo Jackson, Jay Buhner, Jesse Barfield and Dwight Evans.

Acuña, Jr.’s throw will be shown in highlights, go viral on social media and be watched on whatever streaming options are available in the future millions of times in the decades to come and with good reason. It was a perfect throw.

Here are some of the videos and posts available from last night’s play showcasing Acuña, Jr. all-time outfield assist. Bookmark this page and watch these any time you need a feel-good, pick-me-up. (If you are reading this on Apple News, you will watch to open this in a browser as some of the videos are not available on that service.)

Enjoy.

If you’ve made here this far, here are Braves manager Brian Snitker, Acuña, Jr. and Strider discussing the play after last night’s game.

Alvarez, Jr. made another sterling defensive play last night – ranging more than 100 feet to snag a foul ball before tumbling over the tarp down the left field line. Kudos to him a heckuva play which is worth a watch as well.

The Braves beat the Yankees and in the process delivered a great defensive play and an legendary one.

Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s “The Throw” is yet another reason why baseball is the best, as Sarah Langs would say.