Instead of bombarding my Twitter followers with countless angry tweets about how frustrated I am over last night’s non reverse, I decided I’d pull up my blog again (for the millionth time) and ramble on here.
It hasn’t been a hot week in Cleveland for the A’s bats, however the lack of offense is taking a back seat to the controversial call made in the top of the 9th inning of Wednesdays game. After the A’s failed to hold their 3-0, the A’s entered the inning down 4-3. With two outs, Adam Rosales stepped up to the plate and that’s where it all began. With one swing of the bat, Rosales tied the game! Or did he? Yes, yes he did, only the umpiring crew seemed to be the only four people in the country to think otherwise. After a few minutes in review, the umpiring crew emerged from behind home plate signaling Rosales to stay at second base. Manager Bob Melvin erupted from the dugout, and was eventually tossed. The A’s managed to load the bases, but failed to score, falling 4-3 to the Indians based on poor judgment by the umpires.
I have read every article released since then, listened to every coverage I could get my hands on (thank you internet), and haven’t taken my eyes and ears off of any MLB coverage regarding the call. It is by far one of the most ridiculous calls I have ever seen in my short life. It even tops the Jim Joyce non perfecto, only because you can’t review a play at first. Major League Baseball has since then recognized that it wasn’t the proper call made by the crew chief Angel Hernandez. If replays are designed to help correct bad judgment calls on the field, I’m pretty sure judgment calls go out the window when a crew has he obvious call right in front of them. IN HD.
Last year the A’s won the division by one game. They were the perfect example of how playing all 162 games is important, because every game in the end counts. Come September, this game could grow even more important, A’s fans will probably grab pitch forks and shovels if we lose the division by one game. I understand much of the baseballs worlds’ reluctance to adding additional replay; however I have always agreed that it is necessary. Especially after Jed Lowrie’s non-double in Boston two weeks ago, it could have been a game changer, and there should be replay for it. This play was obviously a game changer, and it was on a play that CAN be reviewed. If this is the can of worms we’re opening by adding additional replays, is it even worth it? Sussan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle made a great point on MLB Tonight last night, saying that maybe baseball should take a cue from hockey and have all calls be made by a central office. This would mean no timely delays in play, no missed plays, and no pulling an Angel Hernandez. I think that it is a genius idea, and also that people should start using “pulled an Angel Hernandez regularly”.
The League couldn’t do anything about the call for lack of precedent, but I think that this was something they should have established precedent on. If this were to happen in the post season, or in the World Series, in a situation that could cost a club a ring, I think that this is something the MLB should be able to reverse. Last nights’ game did not leave me in a good mood, which probably won’t be changed until the baseball gods somehow give us something back for this nonsense.
On a lighter note, anyone hear my text on A’s talk? If not, here it is in all its clever glory:
“If we have the technology for a hologram of Tupac, we have the technology to get this call right. Let’s use it!”
I’m hilarious, I know.
mayrrraaalovesbaseball 