Javy must be giving his teammates sliding lessons

For many years, Javier Báez has carried the mantle as the most glorious swim slider. Sure, Trea Turner's might be smoother, but nobody pulls a rabbit out of a hat quite like the man nicknamed El Mago. And yet he might now need to put that hat atop the head of one of his teammates, Matt Vierling, who on Monday night executed one of the sneakiest slides you'll have the pleasure of seeing.

Trying to stretch a single into a double in the top of the ninth inning of the Tigers' 7-2 win over the Rangers, Vierling looked like he was out of luck. Even the Detroit booth admitted the outfielder was "getting greedy." But somehow it paid off.

• Remembering some of baseball's best slides

When Texas second baseman Marcus Semien received the throw and turned around to put the tag down, Vierling popped up on one knee and raised his hand off the ground where Semien couldn't reach it. Then as he passed the bag, he grabbed onto it with the fingertips of his other hand and, improbably, was able to hang on without slipping off.

Each slow motion replay is better than the last, which is good news for Báez, who may be using it in a film session if he wants to take back his crown.