Emma: Anthony Rizzo Makes A Catch We've Never Seen

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- One of the beauties of baseball is you can go to the ballpark and witness something you've never seen before. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo delivered one of those moments during the team's 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday evening.

A Ryan Braun foul pop-up turned into something special when Rizzo leaped onto the tarp along the first-base side, took several steps before bracing the ledge with his left foot. He then reached his right hand out and caught the baseball while sticking the landing on one of the few empty seats in Wrigley Field, then throwing the ball back into play before falling to the ground in the stands.

Fans around Rizzo helped him up, while the rest of the ballpark exploded with excitement.

"Unbelievable," Cubs starter Jason Hammel said of the catch. "Probably one of the best plays I've ever seen in baseball. That was impressive."

Initially, the play was ruled no catch and a foul-ball strike, but the umpires gathered to discuss and came to the realization that Rizzo was still in play when making the catch, as his right foot stood on the tarp and left foot balanced on the ledge before his momentum took him into the crowd.

"I don't know how," Rizzo said, admitting it was all a blur.

The delay for review by the umpires lasted nearly three minutes, as they determined the runner could advance from first base to second because Rizzo took the ball out of play. That was the lone flaw of an incredible play.

"He looked like Spider-Man," joked catcher Miguel Montero, who later delivered the walk-off home run in the 10th inning.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon was asked about his fear for Rizzo when risking his body on a play like that, and Maddon pointed to Derek Jeter's incredible catch in 2004 in which he dove into the stands and came out with a bloody face.

On this tremendous catch, Rizzo did it without the blood but with the same flare for the dramatics. He returned to the dugout after the top of the sixth inning ended and was greeted by his thrilled teammates.

"Everyone was fired up," Rizzo said. "It was nice. Even the old man, David Ross, was fired up."

Rightfully so. Rizzo delivered one of those remarkable things you've never seen before. That's what makes baseball so special.

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.