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Hochman: 'You’re thinking there’s no way.' How one play showed all you need to know about Nolan Arenado

As soon as he knew the city, he knew the play.

“You guys were at San Francisco . . ” I said on the phone Monday to Walt Weiss, the Rockies manager at the time. “Sure,” Weiss excitedly interjected. “I know where you’re going.”

The tarp catch. Arguably the greatest defensive highlight of Nolan Arenado’s Colorado career, which was defined by defensive highlights. For St. Louisans who want to learn more about Arenado, the tarp catch encapsulates what makes him great.

“That play,” Weiss said, “sums him up.”

It was April 14, 2015. The wind whipped off the cove on this foggy, cooler San Francisco night — the setting for something mysterious or maybe mystical.