Glove half full or empty? Steven Kwan’s incredible catch splits opinions after review

The ALDS between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers felt a bit like an NFL game with fans debating what is and isn't a catch.
Oct 7, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (38) dives to make a catch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Oct 7, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (38) dives to make a catch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images / David Richard-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

On a Monday evening, fans in Cleveland and Detroit argued over whether a catch was a catch. But it wasn't as the Browns and Lions played football. It was during the ALDS as the Cleveland Guardians battled the Detroit Tigers.

Steven Kwan's diving catch in the eighth inning saved a run for the Guardians, but not everyone thought it was a catch at all.

The left fielder raced to get his glove under the ball to prevent Wenceel Perez's liner from scoring any of the two men on base. Miraculously, he got there and ended the inning, keeping the game at 0-0.

While the whole baseball world marveled at the effort, the question of whether he actually got his glove under that ball couldn't be ignored. And as expected, MLB's replay review center took a look, but the call stood as called on the field.

The debates were already raging by then.

What's a catch? You decide if Steven Kwan made the play

You had those (many Tigers fans, but not exclusively loyal to Detroit) who felt Kwan trapped the ball but couldn't possibly have made the catch without the ball hitting the grass.

Then you had those (many Guardians fans but not exclusively loyal to Cleveland), who believed the umpires and replay command center got the call right.

And then you had the rest of us, who aren't quite sure what a catch is in the NFL or MLB, apparently.

The Tigers didn't get their runs in the eighth, but maybe it was a "ball don't lie" situation in the ninth. Kerry Carpenter smashed a 423-foot home run to bring home three runs and give Detroit a massive lead.

feed