During Thursday night’s season opener against the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels right fielder Hunter Renfroe made one of the greatest catches in recent memory.
Oakland’s Jace Peterson led the bottom of the fifth inning off with a line drive to right field. It would have been a tough play for Renfroe had he made a great first step on the ball and taken a great angle. He did neither. So, it seemed like an extra-base hit for Peterson.
But at the last second, Renfroe stuck his left arm out and hauled the ball in.
WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS HUNTER RENFROE CATCH ⚾️🪄🎩 pic.twitter.com/nsxHAE8Q21
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 31, 2023
His teammate, pitcher Shohei Ohtani was amazed at the catch.
HUNTER RENFROE IS HIM
WHAT A CATCH pic.twitter.com/9mOqxTJOvT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 31, 2023
He was not the only one.
The Angels had a hilarious blooper earlier in the game. Baseball fans had a lot of fun with that play. But turnabout is fair play and they also had a lot to say about Renfroe’s incredible catch.
omg
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) March 31, 2023
"Did he catch the baseball, or did the baseball catch him?" https://t.co/kto48BlxaZ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 31, 2023
Hunter Renfroe might have just made the worst/best play I’ve ever seen
— Ahmed Fareed (@ahmedNBC) March 31, 2023
Great catch, Renfroe. Don't ever do it again. https://t.co/RV700Om48F
— Zachary D. Rymer (@zachrymer) March 31, 2023
That Hunter Renfroe highlight will exist until the end of baseball.
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) March 31, 2023
WHAT. A. CATCH. LOL
Hunter Renfroe!! Wow.
— AngelsWin.com (@AngelsWin) March 31, 2023
I think there’s only one explanation… https://t.co/74caLnTf12 pic.twitter.com/7nc3xJzX3C
— Mike Colombo (@Mike_Colombo) March 31, 2023
Right now, we can confidently say Renfroe’s is the catch of the year. Of course, the season is still early. But don’t be surprised if that catch is still the best of the year when we’re looking back on the season that was in October.
At the very least, if someone is going to make a better catch this season, they’ll really have to earn it.
[Photo Credit: NBC Sports California]