These pitchers went above and beyond in field

While fielding is only an ancillary part of a pitcher’s job description, sometimes hurlers get a chance to display their defensive chops and put on a show.

The pitchers below did just that, creating four of the greatest defensive moments by moundsmen in recent big league history.

Mark Buehrle, White Sox
April 5, 2010, vs. Indians

Buehrle had a knack for dazzling in front of the home crowd in Chicago. His 2007 no-hitter and 2009 perfect game both came at home, as did this defensive gem in the club’s 2010 home opener. After kicking Lou Marson’s comebacker toward the first-base line, Buehrle chased down the ball and performed an amazing no-look glove flip through his legs while falling to the ground. Paul Konerko capped the play by barehanding the ball at first base to beat Marson by a half-step.

Bartolo Colon, Mets
Sept. 5, 2015, at Marlins

Colon became one of the most beloved players in baseball toward the end of his career because of plays like this one, which came during a complete-game shutout. Showing unexpected grace for a man his size and age, the 42-year-old dashed off the mound in pursuit of Justin Bour’s slow roller up the first-base line, fielded the ball and executed a perfect behind-the-back flip to first base from roughly 40 feet away to retire the Marlins slugger.

Vince Velasquez, Phillies
June 30, 2018, vs. Nationals

After being drilled in the right arm by a line drive off the bat of Adam Eaton in this 2018 game, Velasquez demonstrated his toughness and dexterity to get the out and save a run. As the ball trickled away from the mound, Velasquez, who is typically a righty, picked it up with his left hand and fired a strike to first base to nab Eaton before crumpling to the ground in pain. He escaped with a right forearm contusion but had to spend some time on the 10-day injured list.

Greg Maddux, Dodgers
Aug. 27, 2008, at Nationals

It should come as no surprise that this list includes Maddux, perhaps the greatest fielder ever at his position. The Hall of Famer has more Gold Glove Awards (18) than any other player -- pitcher or otherwise -- in Major League history. He was en route to the last one of his career in his final season when he made this incredible play, racing off the mound to field a short chopper near the third-base line, faking a throw to first base and then spinning to catch Nationals baserunner Lastings Milledge in a rundown.

Best of the rest

Here are some more memorable defensive plays by pitchers from years past.

Kendall Graveman, A’s
April 27, 2017, at Angels

Graveman was the only one to touch the baseball on this unassisted double play, throwing the pitch, fielding Juan Graterol’s comebacker, tagging a diving Ben Revere on one side of third base and then leaping over him to tag a sliding Cliff Pennington on the other. Watch >

Bartolo Colon, Mets
April 9, 2016, vs. Phillies

Yep, it’s Colon again. The season after his impressive flip play, the right-hander once again showed surprising agility, chasing after a popped-up bunt over the mound and making a terrific over-the-shoulder catch to retire Freddy Galvis. Watch >

Eddie Guardado, Twins
May 30, 2002, vs. Angels

“Everyday Eddie” was in his 10th season with the Twins at this point, so he was plenty familiar with the Metrodome’s unique ground rules, which stated that any ball that struck the roof or an object hanging from it was in play. When a popup hit a speaker in this game against the Angels, Guardado was ready to leap into action, running into foul territory and making a diving catch to record the out. Watch >

Mariano Rivera, Yankees
May 21, 1996, vs. A’s

Among many other outstanding traits, Rivera was known for his athleticism, and he showed that off early in his career when he sprinted off the mound after future D-backs manager Torey Lovullo’s broken-bat popup near the third-base line and made a tumbling catch to end the game. Watch >