Sports

Detroit Tigers Infuriate MLB Viewers With Cowardly Walk To Prevent Baseball History

#MLB
by
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

© Brad Penner-Imagn Images


The Detroit Tigers landed criticism for their approach to a ninth inning at-bat involving Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh. The slugger was one home run shy of MLB history. The Tigers ensured he wouldn’t make it.

Raleigh entered the matchup with 38 home runs on the season. The MLB record for most homers prior to an All-Star break is 39, set by Barry Bonds in 2001.

The catcher had already hit two dingers in the series against Detroit. One more would cement his place in the record books. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t happen.

Raleigh was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks across his first four plate appearances. He’d step up to the dish one last time in the top of the ninth frame. Rather than pitch to the MVP candidate, the Tigers put him on base.

Cal Raleigh was intentionally walked with history on the line.

At the time of the walk, the Mariners led by three runs. Raleigh entered the batter’s box with a man on second base and nobody out. With first base open, Detroit opted to give up the base on balls.

That decision, while understandable given the situation, infuriated MLB viewers.

“Tigers walk Cal Raleigh in of the 9th inning of a three-run game instead of giving him a chance to tie a pretty significant HR record. That’s just annoying,” wrote one social media user. “Booooooo! Tigers intentionally walk Cal Raleigh. The fear is real,” echoed another.

While the intentional walk of Raleigh peeved fans, some good came out of it. He’d go onto steal his 10th base of the season later in the inning, making him one of just four players to ever tally at least 38 homers and 10 stolen bases through 96 games.

Raleigh was still able to make history. Unfortunately, he was stripped of a chance to tie Barry Bonds’ home run mark. The catcher will now look ahead to the All-Start Game which will be played July 15th in Atlanta.