Padres Jake Cronenworth running in front of Pirates catcher Austin Hedges Photo Credit: AT&T Sportsnet
FeaturedMLBBy Arthur Weinstein on

San Diego Padres star Jake Cronenworth found himself involved in a play at the plate Wednesday night … as the on-deck hitter.

That is not a good thing to have happen as a baseball player.

In the sixth inning of the Padres’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Xander Bogaerts lined a single to right field. Fernando Tatis Jr., who had been on second, rounded third and a play at the plate appeared imminent, with strong-armed rookie Henry Davis firing the ball in from right field.

Pirates catcher Austin Hedges took position in front of the plate, and Tatis Jr. bore down on him.

Cronenworth picked that exact moment to step right in front of Hedges and pick up Bogaerts’ bat.

As it turned out, the throw got cut off, but Hedges was clearly upset after the play.

The Pirates AT&T broadcasters were stunned by what they’d seen.

“What is Cronenworth doing? What?” Pirates play-by-play broadcaster Greg Brown exclaimed. “That is unbelievable!”

“I’ve never seen that before,” said analyst Matt Capps.

Baseball players are taught from an early age to pick up the bat before any potential play at the plate, for safety. But Cronenworth cut that way too close. It evoked memories of San Francisco Giants star J.T. Snow scooping up 3-year-old batboy Darren Baker (Dusty’s son) before a play at the plate in the 2002 World Series.

MLB fans found the play as inexplicable as the Pirates broadcasters.

[The Comeback on Twitter]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

View all posts by Arthur Weinstein