Denzel Clarke's historical catch robs Nolan Schanuel of a home run in the first inning at Angel Stadium - his second spectacular HR theft this month (Credit: Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics’ rising star Denzel Clarke just added another jaw-dropping highlight to his young career—this time with Denzel Clarke’s historical catch that robbed the Los Angeles Angels of a surefire home run! The electrifying play instantly went viral, leaving fans and analysts calling it one of the best defensive gems of the 2025 MLB season.
In the bottom of the first inning during Monday’s game in Anaheim, California, Clarke sprinted full-speed toward the center-field wall as Angels’ Nolan Schanuel launched a deep drive that seemed destined to clear the fence.
But in a heart-stopping display of athleticism, Clarke:
Timed his jump perfectly
Stomped his cleat into the outfield wall for leverage
Stretched his glove just far enough to snatch the ball mid-air!
The crowd erupted as Denzel Clarke’s historical catch became an instant classic, robbing Schanuel of what would’ve been an early Angels lead.
Even the rookie himself was in awe of the play.
“I’m always very tentative to say this was the best one,” Clarke told MLB.com postgame. “But I think this is probably the best one I’ve ever made.”
This isn’t the first time Clarke has stolen a home run—earlier in June, he earned MLB’s Play of the Week for a similar robbery against the Toronto Blue Jays. But Monday’s grab might be his magnum opus… so far.
Pitcher: Athletics’ Grant Holman started the inning with a groundout before facing Schanuel.
Pitch Sequence: After missing with a 93.7-mph fastball, Holman threw an 86.8-mph splitter, which Schanuel crushed toward dead center.
The Robbery: Clarke’s lightning-fast reaction and Spider-Man-like leap sealed the out in spectacular fashion.
Los Angeles broke through in the third with back-to-back RBI singles from Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and Mike Trout. Jo Adell’s 379-foot homer in the fourth extended the lead, while Yusei Kikuchi dominated, allowing just one hit over 7.1 shutout innings.
Despite the loss, Clarke’s heroics earned him MLB’s Electric Play of the Week—his second straight after two robberies against Toronto. The A’s No. 6 prospect is quickly becoming a must-watch defender, even as Oakland (26-42) struggles in the AL West.
Denzel Clarke’s historical catch wasn’t enough for a win, but it proved one thing: This rookie is a future Gold Glover.
Fans, analysts, and even fellow players took to social media to praise Denzel Clarke’s historical catch, with many calling it:
“The best defensive play of 2025!”
“An early contender for Catch of the Decade!”
“How did he even get up there?!”
With two home run robberies in just one month, Denzel Clarke is proving he’s not just a promising rookie—he’s a human highlight reel. If he keeps making plays like this, Gold Glove talks might start sooner than expected!
Denzel Clarke’s historical catch wasn’t just a game-saving moment—it was a career-defining highlight that MLB fans will remember for years. As the Athletics continue their season, one thing’s for sure: Wherever the ball goes, Clarke will chase it down… and possibly steal another home run!
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