Charlie Blackmon's 'abracadabra' slide completely jukes D-backs SS

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies slides into second with a stolen base after a video replay determined shortstop Chris Owings #16 of the Arizona Diamondbacks missed the tag and reversed the call in the first inning at Coors Field on August 31, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Charlie Blackmon knew he was hosed at second base while trying to steal on Diamondbacks catcher Wellington Castillo. So, he pulled a little trick out of his top hat.

In the first inning of the Rockies' 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday, Blackmon appeared as though he was sliding directly into the waiting tag of D-backs shortstop Chris Owings, but instead improvised and beat the tag.

How he did it was sheer spur-of-the-moment savvy.

Knowing that Owings would attempt to tag his lead foot, Blackmon pulled it back just as he approached the base, which left the shortstop with a swing full of air as he tried to swipe him out for what would have been a double play, considering that Jose Reyes struck out on the 3-2 pitch on which Blackmon stole.

The 29-year-old center fielder explained the maneuver to the Denver Post:

"I knew I was going to be dead out," he said. "So, I was like, 'I'll slide in there and get my foot out early and bank on him sweep-tagging me.' I tried to give him the abracadabra and pull my leg back. And it worked. I was very surprised."

Best of all, Blackmon says that his trick was entirely impromptu.

"No, I knew what was going to happen," Blackmon replied when asked if he had practiced the move. "He was going to catch the ball and tag me. It happened really fast. I thought it might work. And it did."

(h/t Denver Post)