Did Tigers' Javier Baez channel Jackie Robinson, execute MLB slide of the year?

Did Tigers' Javier Baez channel Jackie Robinson, execute MLB slide of the year? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On MLB's Jackie Robinson Day, Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez paid homage to the Hall of Famer.

With one Detroit Tigers' baserunner already thrown out at home plate during the fifth inning Wednesday, Baez tempted fate again eight pitches later. As Jake Rogers lifted a fly ball to right fielder Jac Caglianone, Baez raced down the third-base line, attempting to beat what developed into the fastest replay throw by a Kansas City Royals outfielder this season.

Baez came up short, but executed mid-slide trickery.

The 98-plus mph throw to catcher Salvador Perez beat Baez to the plate, but during his slide, he utilized a sleight of hand to avoid the tag and break a scoreless tie at Comerica Park.

Could Baez's slide evolve into an early candidate for MLB slide of the year?

Tigers' Javier Baez channels Jackie Robinson

For Caglianone, his secondary assist on a throw home earlier in the fifth inning proved to be an act of revenge.

In the top of the third inning, Caglianne, who led off with a triple, was thrown out at home on Kyle Isbel's ground ball to second baseman Gleyber Torres, who was drawn in on the play.

The early stages of Wednesday's game featured a trifecta of plays at the plate.

With McKinstry hustling from first base on Baez's double down the right-field line, Caglianne fielded the ball and threw to Michael Massey, who pivoted and tossed a replay to Perez. McKinstry was initially ruled safe, but a challenge overturned the run, keeping the game scoreless.

But for only a short time, until Baez pulled off a wizard-like slide to score.

Just like Robinson, who stole home 19 times during the regular season and once in the World Series.