Watch Jonah Heim Troll Replay Umps During Home Run Trot in Texas Rangers Win

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim made a mocking gesture after his three-run homer a night after being at the center of a controversial call.

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim was at the center of controversy when he was called for catcher interference in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox.

After his three-run homer in the fifth inning in a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, Heim decided to have a little fun. And make a point.

As Heim made the turn at first base, he looked to the bullpen and cupped his hands around his ears as if he was putting on headphones, the traditional challenge motion, as he rounded the bases.

Petty. But the right kind after last night. #StraightUpTx

pic.twitter.com/nUSaWjoXtb

— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) June 22, 2023

"Last night is what it is," Heim said. "We've put it behind us and we've moved on to today."

It was a review on Tuesday night that put Heim and former Rangers infielder Elvis Andrus — now a White Sox infielder — at the center of attention in baseball.

With the game tied 6-6 in the eighth, Chicago’s Zach Remillard singled to left and Rangers left fielder Travis Jankowski delivered a strong throw to Heim, who tagged out Andrus at the plate to apparently end the inning.

Heim was so sure the inning was over he headed to the dugout. So did Andrus.

The White Sox challenged both the tag and whether Heim blocked the plate. Replay officials in New York overturned the call, saying that Heim was blocking the plate as Andrus tried to slide home.

The overturned call led to the ejection of Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who called it “absolutely one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen.”

The call. The Skipper. The reaction. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/Zzxj296WVz

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

Major League Baseball’s explanation for why Heim was called for catcher interference was murky at best.

The league said Heim was actually called for interference for his position on the plate before the ball arrived, saying his initial position — which was on the left back corner of the plate — was illegal. This was in spite of the fact that Heim didn’t have the baseball and Andrus had barely rounded third.

Heim couldn’t change Tuesday’s result. But on Wednesday he got a measure of revenge and he wasn’t shy about making it known.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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