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Ranking Austin Jackson's catch among the best in Fenway history

Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports

Austin Jackson's got hops.

This fact was known before Tuesday night, as Detroit Tigers fans will tell you while recalling his incredible leaping/diving catch in 2010 that momentarily saved Armando Galarraga's should-have-been-perfect game. But on Tuesday, Jackson - now with the Cleveland Indians - outdid himself with a remarkable grab at venerable Fenway Park to rob Hanley Ramirez of a home run while tumbling over the short wall and into the bullpen.

Fenway's featured a lot of web gems over its 105 years, but did Jackson pull off the very best catch that Boston's ever seen? With apologies to those from the pre-video era, here's our ranking of the top five in (recent) history.

5. Aaron Judge flies into the stands

Judge may have earned superstar status based on his bat, but the man can field his position too. On his 25th birthday this year, Judge chased down Xander Bogaerts' foul ball with no regard for his body, flying over the short fence beside Pesky's Pole and into the stands while holding on for the catch. The play was initially ruled foul, but Judge clearly held onto the ball and it was overturned on review. In time, this play will surely gain more appreciation.

4. Coco Crisp beats the triangle

They talk about right field being tough at Fenway, but don't forget about the 420-foot triangle in dead center, which has been just as dangerous as the one in Bermuda. However, Crisp was undaunted in Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS. Although the score was well out of reach, he flew into the triangle's deepest point from his spot in left-center to clinch the Red Sox a pennant with a Mays-style one-handed basket catch while slamming into the fence at full speed. Was he slow to get up? Sure. Did it hurt? No chance - he just won the pennant.

3. Tom Brunansky's division-clinching dive

Judge did a good job covering Fenway's large right-field territory on his catch, but if you want a lesson on doing it right, go find Brunansky. On the final day of the 1990 season, "Bruno" saved the Red Sox by robbing Ozzie Guillen of extra bases in the ninth inning with an incredible diving grab that sent him tumbling into the corner and out of view of the cameras. Thanks to the crowd's reaction, you didn't need instant replay to realize Brunansky held on to clinch the division title. Truly an only-at-Fenway moment.

2. Austin Jackson's tumble

Plenty has been written about Jackson's grab already. So we'll ask this: what makes it better than the catch made by Seattle's Jay Buhner in 1997 that was eerily similar? Well, Buhner did give himself a little push up the wall; Jackson, if you look carefully, did no such thing - he only grabs the wall to steady his fall once he's on the other side. That's how you do it.

1. JBJ robs the Judge

With due respect to the other contenders, Jackie Bradley Jr. earned the nod earlier this season when he literally robbed Judge at the triangle. He doesn't dive or fall into the bullpen or crash into the wall, but the leap ... the leap is a work of art. It's timed so perfectly at the deepest part of the ballpark - in a spot that few can even hit baseballs to - let alone catch them. Now and forever, this grab will almost surely be regarded as Fenway's finest.

Poll: Which Fenway grab was better? Austin Jackson or JBJ?

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