BRONX, N.Y. -- Mookie Betts was on second base for the Boston Red Sox in a game against the Orioles on May 30, and Xander Bogaerts hit a little roller in front of the plate, to the left side, about 25 feet or so from the plate, as third base coach Brian Butterfield recalled.
Butterfield immediately thought to himself that the play would require an aggressive, quick reaction from Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph, because Bogaerts runs well to first, and that there might be an opportunity for Betts. But as Butterfield processed the play and watched Joseph charge after the roller and throw to first, he felt some air turbulence on his left shoulder.