Red Sox’s Wilyer Abreu nearly makes catch of the year, crashing into chairs during home run attempt

He had it in his glove. It would have been one of the greatest catches in MLB history.

Unfortunately for the Boston Red Sox, Wilyer Abreu’s attempt to stop a home run by New York Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera failed as the ball did not stay in the outfielder’s glove.

It was during the second inning at Boston’s Fenway Park that Cabrera hit a ball deep into right field, grabbed by Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford.

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Abreu followed the ball the entire way, sprinting back as the ball approached the 380-foot board on the short wall.

The ball seemed destined to leave the field, but Abreu threw himself into the air and made a leap into the deep, as he still had his eyes on the ball.

As the ball came down, it landed in Abreu’s glove, but his body slammed into the seats over the wall. Abreu’s legs flew into the air, but on the live broadcast it looked like he had made the catch of the year as he kept his glove in the air.

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When Abreu opened his glove, however, there was nothing in it. All that effort was for naught, as Cabrera rounded the bases to give his Yankees a 4-3 lead over their division rival.

On closer inspection, Abreu did have the ball in his leather. However, when he made contact with the seats, the ball jumped out as his hand and wrist hit the row behind him.

The Red Sox were concerned that Abreu might have gotten injured after sacrificing his body to make the play. Abreu was just concerned that he wouldn’t keep the ball in his glove.

Boston fans nevertheless cheered Abreu loudly for his performance and his home run attempt was praised on social media.

“I love Wilyer Abreu so much for this effort,” MLB Network contributor Jared Carrabis posted on X. “He caught the ball. The ball came loose when it hit the chair. It would have been one of the best catches I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Abreu knows there will always be a “close” to the game, but he also hit a solo homer to start a three-run Red Sox bottom of the first inning, tying the game.

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In 77 games through Saturday, Abreu, a 5-foot-11 Venezuelan outfielder, has a .266/.327/.477 batting average with eight home runs and 32 RBIs.

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