Phillies' Alec Bohm was called safe at home on controversial game-winning play, and Braves fans were not happy
Safe by a toe... or not.
It’s been some time since baseball had a major blown call controversy, but Sunday night’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves delivered. This time, it’s Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm at the center of controversy on a sacrifice fly ball that gave Philadelphia the 7-6 lead and the win.
With one out remaining in the top of the ninth, and Bohm on third, Didi Gregorius hit a short ball out to Marcell Ozuna in left field. As the ball was caught, Bohm tagged from third as Ozuna threw back home to catcher Travis d’Arnaud, causing a bang-bang play to happen at home plate, wherein Bohm was called safe.
After a lengthy review, and various angles shown, the umpires ruled Bohm safe at home, causing uproar from the fans at Truist Park and across social media.
SAFE. pic.twitter.com/4zScXL44M0
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 12, 2021
While Bohm clearly beats out d’Arnaud’s tag, it is pretty plain to see that he doesn’t touch home plate on any of the various angles shown.
Alec Bohm scored on this bang-bang play in the top of the 9th.
It proved to be the winning run. pic.twitter.com/lEft3iW0S9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 12, 2021
And yet! The call was made and the Phillies took the 7-6 lead, and the win. Braves manager Brian Snitker was clearly not pleased at the events that unfolded in the game-deciding play.
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 12, 2021
I am deceased pic.twitter.com/aWytQIGEmc
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 12, 2021
Social media was just as brutal, and even the Braves own Twitter account got in on the heat.
Final: Phillies 7, #Braves 6, apparently.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 12, 2021
Alec Bohm has still not touched home plate.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 12, 2021
Braves fans after that Bohm review pic.twitter.com/YhfIu6fHec
— Rob Riches (@Riches61) April 12, 2021
Definitive proof that Alec Bohm touched home plate. pic.twitter.com/XmaRtS4q4V
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) April 12, 2021
Phillies manager Joe Girardi, of course, took the viewpoint that Bohm’s toe was able to tap home plate, while Braves pitcher Drew Smyly was adamant that the third baseman was out at home.
Joe Girardi on The Call:
“It looked like his big toe kind of hit the corner of the plate. That’s what we saw when we looked at all the angles.”
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) April 12, 2021
Drew Smyly: "We have five different angles on a nationally televised game, and it's clear that his foot didn't touch the plate."
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 12, 2021
In all likelihood, had Bohm been originally called out on the play and it had gone to review, he would have been out and the inning would have been over. In the end, however, the umpires made their decision and the baseball world was not happy about it.