THE WALKOFF CATCHER’S INTERFERENCE

The details of both the Carlos Narvaez and Johnny Bench weird moments

THE WALKOFF CATCHER’S INTERFERENCE

Everybody’s talking about it, and you should be too.

The Red Sox are in the midst of a season-defining nine-game stretch against three teams (Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers) that are not as awful as the teams they ran over in their ten-game winning streak (Reds, Rockies, Nationals, Rays). After dropping two of three to the Cubs at Wrigley, the Sox moved on to Philadelphia and lost 3-2 in 10 innings to the Fightins’. But it was how they did it that’s the story.

Four relievers pitched for the Phillies after starter Zack Wheeler left after six innings with the game tied 2-2. Those four posted a combined line of one hit, no runs, two walks, and four strikeouts against 17 Sox batters, including two Ks by winning pitcher rookie Max Lazar (first big league win) in the 10th inning. That’s how the Phils stayed tied in this game, but it’s not how they won the game.

For the first time since August 1, 1971, a game was won on catcher’s interference. In the bottom of the 10th, Brandon Marsh was the Manfred Man, and then Jordan Hicks (whom the Sox got for Rafael Devers) walked the leadoff batter Otto Kemp. With Max Kepler at the plate, Hicks threw a wild pitch to put runners on second and third. Kepler was intentionally walked to load the bases. The count was 1-2 on Edmundo Sosa, when on the fifth pitch of the at bat, as Sosa checked his swing, he made contact with catcher Carlos Narváez’s glove. Catcher’s interference was called, and after a review, it was confirmed. Sosa headed to first as Marsh headed home with the winning run.

The Red Sox lead the majors with seven catcher’s interference calls this season. Narváez leads all catchers with four.

There have been 242,212 games in MLB history, and this was just the second to end on a walk-off catcher's interference. Here’s what happened in the first.

That was weird.

It was nothing compared to what happened in 1971.

Much has been written that this is the only other catcher’s interference walkoff since at least 1920. But it couldn’t be more different than the one that took place on August 1, 1971 (strokes chin as time machine music takes us back to that game). Here’s an alert: the great names from 50+ years ago will bring a smile to your face.