MLB Umpires Blow Two More Calls In Game 2 Of The World Series

NFL News - October 31st, 2009 - Written by John

This fall has not been the best of times for Major League Baseball umpires.  The trend continued again on Thursday night in Game 2 of the World Series.  The umpires missed two calls late in the game between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.  The string of miscues by the umpires this year has prompted the issue of instant replay in major league games.  Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is against the use of instant replay, but has said there will be more discussions on it's use during games.

The first missed call on Thursday night came in the seventh inning. New York's Johnny Damon was at bat and there were runners on first and second.  Damon hit a low line drive to first baseman Ryan Howard that umpire Brian Gorman ruled a catch.  Howard then threw the ball to shortstop Jimmy Rollins who tagged out Jorge Posada that ended the inning on the double play.  After viewing a television replay, it showed that the ball actually bounced into Howard's glove and it was not a catch.  Posada ran to the umpires to contest the call and Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to show his displeasure as well.  Between innings, the umpires conversed to insure the call was right and the call that was made stood as ruled on the field.

"The objective is to get it right, we asked each other what we had seen and the replay confirmed we got it right," crew chief Jerry Davis said, according to the Post.

The second missed call came in the eighth inning where the Phillies had runners on first and second.  Chase Utley was called out by Gorman on an inning-ending double play.  Neither Utley nor first base coach Davey Lopes argued the play, but replays revealed that Utley was safe.  The Phillies were trailing 3-1 and were mounting a comeback when the play was ruled an out. 

"It was one of those close plays," Utley said. "I guess it could go either way. I haven't seen the replay. If you say I was safe, then I guess I was safe."

Instant replay has shown to be effective in other professional sports and could be of benefit in Major League Baseball as well.  Missed calls by umpires are going to happen, but the ability to review close calls could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.  There are no immediate plans for instant replay to play a part in baseball at this time, but Selig has shown that he is willing to leave it open for discussion.

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