Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
In a play that can only be described as hilariously awkward, the Cincinnati Reds’ infielder Brandon Phillips made his best attempt to channel his inner-Mark Sanchez during Tuesday’s game against the Houston Astros.
Phillips’ “Butt Tag” was more successful than Sanchez’s “Butt Fumble” in that Phillips got an out while Sanchez only got a face full of rear end. Nevertheless, the nature of the play will not prevent Phillips from being featured on silly highlight reels for years to come.
Sanchez’s infamous “Butt Fumble” was recently retired as a 40 consecutive week champion on SportsCenter’s “Not Top 10” plays of the week. Phillips’ “Butt Tag” actually ended up on Tuesday night’s Top 10 plays of the day, but I think Phillips is getting a little bit more credit than he deserves.
The thought process Phillips must have went through to decide to remain with his backside towards the runner is fairly clear. He most likely believed he did not have enough time to turn around and find Jonathan Villar’s hands in time to make the tag before he was safe. Alas, his decision is extremely bizarre and he mostly just got lucky that Villar ran into Phillips’ glove as the runner could have easily been safe.
Whether or not Phillips was trying to imitate Sanchez, he at least had the presence of mind to think about the play and complete it whereas Sanchez looked like a chicken with its head cut off running into a butt wall. Welcome to your 15 seconds of infamy, Brandon Phillips. Unfortunately for him, the number of seconds his play will appear on blooper reels is going to be much larger than 15.
You can see Phillips’ awesome play by viewing the MLB’s official youtube video here: Brandon Phillips Butt Tag
Isaac Comelli is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IsaacComelli, “Like” him on Facebook or follow him on Google.
Related:
A Day Which Shall Live in Infamy: The Mark Sanchez “Butt-Fumble” Defended
Cincinnati Reds’ Brandon Phillips Hits 100th RBI, Making Case for National League MVP
Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips Is Not Who We Thought He Was
