Javier Baez almost made the dumbest baseball play of the night (Video)

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez almost made the blunder of all blunders during Thursday night’s game against the New York Mets.

On Thursday, baseball fans got themselves some material for the blooper reel in the form of the New York Yankees’ fielding efforts in bottom of the first inning against the Cleveland Indians. As it turns out, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez almost made the biggest blunder of the entire night.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cubs were stuck in 3-3 tie against the New York Mets. On a 1-0 count, Baez hit a bloop single to right-center field off Mets relief pitcher Trevor May. Baez was well off first base after the hit and was caught sleeping on the basepath. As he ran back to first, it looked as though he was tagged out New York first baseman Pete Alonso.

This had the makings of being the biggest error of the 2021 season so far, but Baez was luckily ruled safe following a challenge review.

Cubs: Javier Baez almost caught falling asleep on the basepath Thursday vs. Mets

Even with the close call, the Cubs could not get a run on the board in the seventh. Third baseman Matt Duffy grounded into a double play and second baseman David Bote struck out swinging to end the inning.

Entering the series finale against the Mets, Baez is slashing .203/.250/.469 while recording five home runs, 16 RBI, nine runs scored and 13 hits in 17 games.

Thanks to the help of video replay, Baez avoided making the “Not Top 10” list for the week.