What exactly happened on the Sean Murphy catcher's interference call in last night's game?

It was technically the correct call, but that doesn't make it any less satisfying for Braves fans

The Atlanta Braves were down 2-0 in the eighth inning to the Philadelphia Phillies, and reliever Pierce Johnson was tasked with a tall task: Bases loaded, JT Realmuto at the plate. Get the out. 

Johnson got Realmuto to foul an 2-2 pitch back, and Murphy asked for a new ball but Realmuto had started to jog to first and the umpire jumped up - catcher's interference. 

The run scored, and Atlanta was now down 3-0. 

Murphy knew he had touched the bat with his glove, somehow. “I didn’t feel it, but I heard it,” Murphy said to reporters after the game.

What happened? The Braves asked for a replay review, and the angles we got on the broadcast were inconclusive, at best. 

The @BravesOnBally twitter account, run by Braves broadcaster Bally Sports, even joked about the phantom call. 

“Catcher interference.” 🧐

(🎥 via @BRWalkoff) pic.twitter.com/Yr0jrDcpWb

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 8, 2023

After review, the call on the field stood, and Braves fans began throwing bottles and cans onto the field in frustration and anger at what they thought was an incorrect replay decision. 

Braves fans threw debris on the field in protest of a catcher’s interference call that gave the Phillies another run: https://t.co/1cRYvoMZfP

(via @Ria_Martin) pic.twitter.com/3tuG2y0We9

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 8, 2023

Here's one of many problems with that situation - it was the correct call. 

"Jomboy" of Jomboy Media, famous for his MLB "breakdowns" where he analyzes film to explain what happened in a particular moment of a game, made a YouTube video on Saturday night explaining the call. 

Simply, the strings on the glove hit the bat, and while it didn't materially impact Realmuto's ability to hit the pitch, by letter of the rule that's still catcher's interference. 

Literally, this exact situation is in the umpire's rule manual:

To his credit, Murphy admitted hearing the contact, even if he didn't feel it, and that's why didn't argue the call immediately on the field. 

"I didn't feel it, but I heard it"

Sean Murphy on the catchers interference call⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ana5IHweWi

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 8, 2023

Braves officials also discussed the whole "throwing things on the field" part of the situation, as well.  

“We are out there,” manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “There is no excuse for that. I’ve been on the field when that’s happened, it’s scary because when those water bottles when they come, they are like grenades. It could really seriously injure one of our players. That’s uncalled for."

It's unknown at this time whether MLB will address the fans' actions with some sort of fine, financial penalty, or request for logistical changes going forward.  

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