Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges is the latest to sound off about an overturned call at the plate.
Hedges ripped MLB's replay review center for ruling Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez safe despite him being initially thrown out at the plate during the first inning of Tuesday's game. Officials overturned the call after deeming that Hedges blocked the sliding lane before catching the ball:
After appearing to get Javy Baez out at the plate, replay overturned the call due to Austin Hedges blocking the plate pic.twitter.com/TUsJj4WJPK
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 16, 2022
"This play has been called a few times now recently that really has never been called before. For some reason, New York feels like they have to take over the game and change the way the game is played," Hedges said postgame, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. "Guys are just out. There are plays at home that are beating the runners and for 150 years, you're out. ... Honestly, it's a disgrace. It's embarrassing.
"I think New York owes Zach Plesac, specifically, an apology, because they took the game out of his hands. ... We're trying to win a division, we're trying to make the playoffs, we're trying to do something special, and for it to be taken out of our hands like that is a disgrace."
Blocking the plate has been a controversial topic this season after the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins on an overturned obstruction call earlier this month. The Baltimore Orioles also dealt with a similar issue against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
