This catch will be part of highlight reels forever

OAKLAND -- Freddy Galvis frequently played without wearing a glove when he grew up in Venezuela. Thus, his remarkable barehanded catch of Josh Phegley’s popup to end the eighth inning during the Blue Jays' 10-1 victory over the A's on Saturday came almost naturally to him.

Galvis, the Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop, dashed into left field with his back to home plate to make the grab, which ought to receive heavy rotation in highlight videos for years to come. After all, Kevin Mitchell’s barehanded play on a foul ball during the 1989 season when he played left field for San Francisco still captivates fans when it’s displayed on video boards. Galvis’ play was just as entertaining.

Galvis explained that the afternoon and the high sky increased the play’s difficulty.

“I just reacted to the ball, saw it on my left side and tried to look for the left fielder [Teoscar Hernandez] to see where he was,” Galvis said. “When I looked up again to see where the ball was, it was on my right side.”

But Galvis made the adjustment, clutching the ball with his right arm outstretched.

“That was awesome,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That’s all I can say, because I’m an infielder, or an ex-infielder. That’s fun to watch.”

Said Blue Jays right-hander Sam Gaviglio, “Unbelievable. I think that’s probably the best catch I’ll see all season. Maybe in my life.”