1. The Arenado

Arenado’s signature play is backhanding a groundball in foul territory down the third-base line, leaping into the air and firing to first while falling toward the stands. On this play, he throws out Chris Young on a perfect throw to first baseman Justin Morneau.

Walk me through this play.

“Young’s a pull guy. So I knew there was a good chance he’s gonna give me a ball, especially when Matt Belisle is throwing a slider. And Tulo gave me a little key that he was gonna throw an off-speed (pitch). We have a signal system. So I was ready.

“When he hit it, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy play, because it was hit hard. It’s all instincts. My whole goal is to stay low on the backhand and just get my throw off. But the main key is to let Morny have a chance at doing something with it.”

For such a wild play, it actually seems fundamentally correct. You get your body turned toward first.

“That’s the main thing. I don’t think about it. But I know with instincts that I need to get my throw while I get my body going toward the base as much as I can. Even though I’m fading back, if I can get my hips and my arms through going toward the base, I know there will be a better chance for a throw on line.

“I don’t know where it’s going to go, because I’m throwing it from so deep. But if I put myself in that position, I’m going to have a chance to give Morny a good throw or a chance to make a play on a throw.”

Is the key to just get it in the general direction of first base?

“Morny is a great first baseman. He knows how to scoop real well. So there’s no concern about having to hit him in the chest. I just need to get the throw in his vicinity.

“And to be honest with you, I’ve been fortunate enough to have good first basemen, with Todd (Helton) and Morny. I’m lucky I haven’t had to think about the throw. I just have to get it there and give them a chance.”

This seems like your favorite play. You’ll even do this on foul balls. Just for your own enjoyment?

“Absolutely. I like messing around. I feel like, if my body is already going toward the bag, I might as well just finish the play. I don’t see a point stopping midway. So I’m like, I’ll just do it. I did it in L.A. a couple times when I heard it was foul right from the beginning. But I said, ‘Screw it, I’m just gonna throw it anyway for fun.’”