[Giants]

The challenge was decided in a record eight seconds. Machado smoked the ball to Belt who stayed with it and got the lead runner. Getting the out at first was a bonus with Rogers almost getting smoked by Craw’s laser to first.

Some numbers…

None of the three SF singles in the 9th topped 80mph.  Machado’s double play ball left the bat at 112mph.  Only three Giants’ batted balls all season have exceeded 112.

One overlooked key was not using a PR for Belt in the ninth (another Kapler move that went against the grain but worked out nicely).  Had the Giants done so, it is unlikely Belt’s replacement at 1B in the bottom of the ninth would have fielded Machado’s shot (someday Belt has gotta win a Gold Glove - he is an outstanding first baseman).

Belt's fielding rankings were in the top ten in MLB three times in his career...including the last two years:

2020 / 7th
2019 / 5th
2015 / 2nd

JT Snow was 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 5th and 8th.  Six times in his career, he was in the Top 10.

McCovey finished 10th in 1965 and 1967.  That was it.  Cepeda finished in the Top 10 four times between 1958 and 1969...three 6th place finishes, and an 8th place.

Fielding percentages don’t mean a lot.  Think of it this way - a guy with zero range could play SS and make every play hit right to him for a fielding percentage of 1.000 but make zero plays one step or more to his right or left. Conversely, a guy like Crawford may make errors (thus a fielding % of the less than 1.000) but make plays repeatedly on balls hit to his left and right.  Crawford is a Gold Glover.  The zero range guy is not.

IMO, Belt is right behind Snow on the list of best fielding 1B’s in the franchise’s SF history. I don’t believe he has received the acclaim due him for his fielding prowess.

[Giants]

The challenge was decided in a record eight seconds. Machado smoked the ball to Belt who stayed with it and got the lead runner. Getting the out at first was a bonus with Rogers almost getting smoked by Craw’s laser to first.

Some numbers…

None of the three SF singles in the 9th topped 80mph.  Machado’s double play ball left the bat at 112mph.  Only three Giants’ batted balls all season have exceeded 112.

One overlooked key was not using a PR for Belt in the ninth (another Kapler move that went against the grain but worked out nicely).  Had the Giants done so, it is unlikely Belt’s replacement at 1B in the bottom of the ninth would have fielded Machado’s shot (someday Belt has gotta win a Gold Glove - he is an outstanding first baseman).

Belt's fielding rankings were in the top ten in MLB three times in his career...including the last two years:

2020 / 7th
2019 / 5th
2015 / 2nd

JT Snow was 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 5th and 8th.  Six times in his career, he was in the Top 10.

McCovey finished 10th in 1965 and 1967.  That was it.  Cepeda finished in the Top 10 four times between 1958 and 1969...three 6th place finishes, and an 8th place.

Fielding percentages don’t mean a lot.  Think of it this way - a guy with zero range could play SS and make every play hit right to him for a fielding percentage of 1.000 but make zero plays one step or more to his right or left. Conversely, a guy like Crawford may make errors (thus a fielding % of the less than 1.000) but make plays repeatedly on balls hit to his left and right.  Crawford is a Gold Glover.  The zero range guy is not.

IMO, Belt is right behind Snow on the list of best fielding 1B’s in the franchise’s SF history. I don’t believe he has received the acclaim due him for his fielding prowess.