And the Oscar goes to … Austin Hedges!
Because the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher pulled off a move that I honestly don’t think I’ve seen before: He flopped and it totally fooled an umpire into calling batter’s interference, which meant that Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India — who was attempting to steal — was called out and the batter (T.J. Friedl) had struck out.
Now, maybe his throwing hand hit Friedl’s helmet? I can’t really tell. But it’s one of those things where if the ump didn’t see the hand graze it, the flop most certainly helped.
Seriously, this is an NBA- or soccer-level flop right here:
Austin Hedges draws the batter’s interference call and Jonathan India is ruled out at 2nd. pic.twitter.com/mYht2qBa84
— Caught Stealing (@MLB_CS) April 21, 2023
Fans were in awe:
Austin Hedges throwing to second base there pic.twitter.com/txEgmrO9Oc
— Roycephus (@yeahiroy) April 20, 2023
Austin Hedges pic.twitter.com/LK8O6NeVIQ
— Dan Zangrilli (@DanZangrilli) April 20, 2023
I have never seen a baseball player take a dive like the one Austin Hedges just took and he got away with it lol
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) April 20, 2023
Austin Hedges enjoys Italian soccer in the offseason.
— Tim Williams (@TimWilliamsP2) April 20, 2023
Get Austin Hedges his Oscar, damnit. pic.twitter.com/Bn6PAdBzyU
— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) April 20, 2023
Austin Hedges…. pic.twitter.com/mfZDiQ9Q0x
— Jim Madalinsky (@JimWTAE) April 20, 2023
