Former Texas Rangers Catcher: Jonah Heim Did 'Everything Right'

The controversial play for Tuesday's game elicited this reaction from a former Texas Rangers catcher who played under that rule.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout Wednesday, the catcher interference call on Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox was the buzz of the baseball world.

Almost universally, those that offered up opinions agreed that it was, at best, an incorrect call. Others had spicier language.

But players like Chris Gimenez felt Heim’s pain. Gimenez played 10 seasons from 2009-18. He caught for the Rangers in 2014 and '15. He caught games under the old and new rules, which are designed to protect catchers and hitters from violent collisions.

He watched the play several times. Just like Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, Gimenez was dumbfounded by the call.

Bochy has been ejected after his reaction of the White Sox challenge that was reversed 🤯
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/PRhMQur4QJ

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) June 21, 2023

“There is literally nothing he did wrong,” Gimenez said on MLB Radio on Sirius/XM. “I’m not understanding why they decided to call that play the way they did. Because if Jonah did something wrong, then we, as catchers, are in a really bad position. Because he did it absolutely textbook perfect.”

MLB said the ruling was made because of Heim's position on the plate before the ball arrived, saying that his initial position — which was on the left back corner of the plate — was illegal. While the ruling noted that he didn’t have the ball, the replay officials ruled that his initial position was enough to overturn the call on the field, which was Heim tagging out the White Sox runner Elvis Andrus to end the inning and preserve a 6-6 tie.

Bochy called it “absolutely one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen.”

Gimenez lived by that rule when he played. And doesn't understand why the play was overturned, even after MLB’s explanation.

“I feel bad for Jonah Heim because he literally did everything right,” Gimenez said.

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

1. Texas Rangers New Nike City Connect Jersey Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth
2. Texas Rangers in Play to Sing Shohei Ohtani
3. Arlington Mayor Says Rougned Odor ‘Punch’ Mural to Stay
4. Texas Rangers Clubhouse ‘Insane’ Says Reliever
5. No Pride in Texas, Rangers Lone Team Without Pride Night
6. MLB, Texas Rangers Win Bally Sports Broadcast Suit
7. AL West is 'Ours,' Not Astros Says Texas Rangers First Baseman
8. Derek Holland Making Baseball Comeback
9. Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games
10. Texas Rangers Unveil Exciting New Ballpark Food

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.