Giants' Joe Panik Keeps Calm And Turns Amazing World Series Double Play

Keep calm and Panik on.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik made what may prove to be one of the most memorable defensive plays in World Series history to keep his team tied with the Kansas City Royals in the third inning of Game 7. With a runner already on first base and nobody out, the 23-year-old dove to his right to grab a ball hit up the middle by the Royals' Eric Hosmer. Before even getting to his feet, Panik flipped the ball from his glove to teammate Brandon Crawford. The shortstop recorded the force out at second base and then threw to first baseman Brandon Belt for a double play.

Video via Cork Gaines

Hosmer, who slid headfirst into first base, was initially ruled safe on the play, but the call was overturned after a challenge from Giants manager Bruce Bochy. It was the first successful replay challenge in World Series history, according to The Sporting News.

Panik's teammates would make sure that his breathtaking defensive play would be remembered for more than the historic replay it triggered. The Giants scored a go-ahead run in the fourth inning and pitcher Madison Bumgarner pitched five scoreless frames in relief to make sure it was all that was needed.