Pitcher Jon Lester goes rogue, throws his glove to first base for the out

 By 
Adario Strange
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Baseball, one of the oldest American sports, doesn't usually pack too many surprises.

But on Sunday, fans were treated to a bit of on-the-field innovation that may rank as one of the cleverest baseball plays in recent memory, thanks to a bit of quick thinking.

[seealso slug="old-yankee-stadium-lettering"]

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester, attempting to toss the ball to first base to help tag out a player from the San Diego Padres, was faced with a dilemma: the ball was stuck in his glove.

So Lester did what any quick thinking baseball player with a penchant for thinking outside of the box would do -- he threw his entire glove to his first baseman.

Spoiler alert: It actually worked!

However, it's not an unprecedented play. Back in 1999, Orlando Hernández (aka "El Duque") pulled the same move.

Nevertheless, Lester's play still managed to spice up a Sunday afternoon for hardcore fans of the game.

Alas, the Cubs ultimately lost to the Padres 5 to 2, but the play lives on via social media as the coolest sports moments of 2015.

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