Umpires are human beings. Yes, they make mistakes (lots of them in some cases.)
Now that the San Diego Padres have concluded a 10-game homestand punctuated by missed calls, it has become more than obvious that instant replay is needed in MLB.
Take just a few instances of the past week, and it’s hard not to conclude that it’s time for instant replay:
Tony Gwynn was called out for a batted ball hitting him on the basepaths. Problem is, the ball clearly missed him.
Chase Headley made a great sliding catch to end an inning. However, the umpire wrongly said Headley trapped the ball.
Headley was again the victim on a play at the plate. He was called out, yet replays showed he was unquestionably safe.
Everth Cabrera was ruled safe on a stolen base attempt of third. He was unmistakably out.
However, that one more than evened out. Cabrera was ruled out for missing home plate on a sliding attempt; replays showed his hand clearly touched the plate.
Kyle Blanks was ruled safe at home on a tying run in the ninth inning vs. the New York Mets. Replays showed he was definitely tagged out by catch Brian Schneider.
Ok, this was only the Padres. On a scale of MLB, there seems to be an attitude of “Who cares what happens west of the Mississippi?”
Let’s hope the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox have this many blown calls on a homestand. Then, MLB will do something about adding instant replay.
Now that the San Diego Padres have concluded a 10-game homestand punctuated by missed calls, it has become more than obvious that instant replay is needed in MLB.
Take just a few instances of the past week, and it’s hard not to conclude that it’s time for instant replay:
Tony Gwynn was called out for a batted ball hitting him on the basepaths. Problem is, the ball clearly missed him.
Chase Headley made a great sliding catch to end an inning. However, the umpire wrongly said Headley trapped the ball.
Headley was again the victim on a play at the plate. He was called out, yet replays showed he was unquestionably safe.
Everth Cabrera was ruled safe on a stolen base attempt of third. He was unmistakably out.
However, that one more than evened out. Cabrera was ruled out for missing home plate on a sliding attempt; replays showed his hand clearly touched the plate.
Kyle Blanks was ruled safe at home on a tying run in the ninth inning vs. the New York Mets. Replays showed he was definitely tagged out by catch Brian Schneider.
Ok, this was only the Padres. On a scale of MLB, there seems to be an attitude of “Who cares what happens west of the Mississippi?”
Let’s hope the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox have this many blown calls on a homestand. Then, MLB will do something about adding instant replay.
