This story isn’t about “The Throw.”



I mean, it is — and it isn’t. Because when trying to understand just how far Seattle shortstop J.P. Crawford has come defensively this season, replaying his July 26 gem on a continual loop isn’t necessarily the best way to illustrate his notable growth.



But man, it sure is a lot of fun.



Nothing else Crawford does this season — or, quite possibly the rest of his career — will likely come close to the play he made on Detroit’s Jeimer Candelario’s ninth-inning rocket of a grounder that carried Crawford into shallow left field and on to one knee. Then the real fun began, as Crawford twisted like a pretzel and uncorked a strong throw to first base that narrowly beat a sprinting Candelario to end the inning.



The crowd at T-Mobile Park gasped. Pitcher Roenis Elías nearly lost his mind in celebration, and following the game, everyone agreed they had seen...