Tigers shortstop Javier Baez bats against White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito during the first inning on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Comerica Park.
Tigers Chiwht
Detroit Tigers fans are going to learn to love Javy Baez, if they don’t already. One of the most entertaining players in baseball delivered on Opening Day.
Baez was initially called out on a long line drive to right field that was bobbled by the White Sox. However, after replay review, Javy very clearly won the game as the ball bounced off the wall before being caught by right fielder AJ Pollock.
Detroit found a way to give their fans a heart attack on Opening Day, to the surprise of no one who has watched this team consistently over the last several decades.
Friday afternoon’s game marked the first official umpire announcement after a review, and the first game announced as a walkoff after an umpire review, for those keeping track at home.
Tigers: Javy Baez replay proves umps got it right
The Tigers were upset that Jeimer Candelario was called for interference on what they believed was a legal slides into second base earlier in the game. The slide took a run off the board.
Perhaps this was the baseball Gods evening things out. Sure, Baez’s hit very clearly bounced off the wall, but two calls of that magnitude going against Detroit would’ve been a crime against the sport.
Tigers fans, you’re going to love this guy.