The Pittsburgh Pirates can thank Ji-hwan Bae for sending their game against the Seattle Mariners to extras on Sunday. Bae didn’t just extend the game either, he did so in grand style with an incredible catch that might be the best of the season.
J.P. Crawford dueled with David Bednar of the Buccos with the game tied at 3 runs apiece. Crawford then took a 1-1 offering and sent it to deep centerfield. Bae tracked the ball and ran with it, and with two outs, had to make the catch or risk the M’s getting a runner into scoring position. So Bae made an incredible catch at the wall, slammed into it, and still hung on!
WHAT A GRAB by Ji-Hwan Bae to send Mariners-Pirates to extras!! pic.twitter.com/MWsHoMqPMA
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 28, 2023
The catch stunned the Pirates’ announcers, who wondered how he even pulled that off! The grab sent the game into extra innings and gave Pittsburgh another chance to take the lead in the 10th inning.
Needless to say, the catch went viral quickly and caught the attention of dozens of baseball fans and the MLB world.
“WOW! Catch of the year by Ji-hwan Bae in center,” said Dejan Kovacevic.
WOW! Catch of the year by Ji Hwan Bae in center, running straight back, reaching up at the last second, then crashing into the wall! Fans here are on their feet cheering for him in Seattle! Amazing!
— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) May 28, 2023
The Breaking Bats pod also called it the “catch of the year.”
Ji Hwan Bae catch of the year. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/LpzKAr9HL3
— Breaking Bats Podcast (@BreakingBatsPod) May 28, 2023
The Pirates themselves were flabbergasted and reacted preposterously.
How on earth did Ji Hwan catch this pic.twitter.com/I6C70mnY1Y
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 28, 2023
Talkin’ Baseball was also taken aback by the incredible play.
OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A CATCH JI HWAN BAE pic.twitter.com/LzoyhSI2xi
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 28, 2023
