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Nixon and the art of the stolen base

Braves outfielder Otis Nixon tries to score here on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Blauser in a 1993 game against Pittsburgh, sliding past the Pirates’ Don Slaught.

If you look closely, plate umpire Mark Barron has his eyes on the plate to see if Nixon is going to hit it. Slaught, meanwhile, has the plate blocked is about to turn with the ball and try to swipe Nixon, who certainly is the best base stealer the Braves ever had but also one of their most strategic when sliding into base. Nixon does avoid the tag by going wide of the plate and comes across with his back foot.