The umps have always been around here (in fact, they were probably worse before). We just didn’t have every blown call amplified by the box, amplified by social media, amplified and broadcast to everybody since everybody now has a mini computer/TV/streaming device in their pocket.
Right, they've always been around, except now we have the ability to objectively judge them. And they have been found wanting.
When you think about it, the fact MLB still has guys crouching behind another person, using the naked eye to determine location (within a 23 inch margin) of an object spinning, moving, and traveling 100mph, is pretty damn archaic.
Especially since tennis started their effort to get the line calls right more than 40 years ago (and has been perfected in the last 15 years)…. And their court/lines cover a much larger distance, and they had several judges monitoring (not just one). then again, the NFL only just this year got rid of the arbitrary chains to measure first downs (after the ball is spotted equally with arbitrary tendencies).
Didn't tennis take about 8 years to fully implement the laser in/outs? It took Euro futbal over a decade to get comfortable with VAR, and they still **** it up
Tennis had a rudimentary version of 'hawkeye' back in the 80's, but it would be glitchy. The point is that these sports acknowledged that the human eye can only perceive so much... and this aspect gets worse as one ages... and started working towards solutions far before the more refined versions we have now. Baseball always had the heir of stubbornness/ego behind accepting this (as well as the umpires union). Hopefully the ABS (and MLB already having the entire park/field/players mapped out in 3D with all the cameras they now have at every ballpark) won't need that much 'improvement' from version 1.0 to be on that level.
It would be peak comedy if they overlayed the modern strike box on that Braves strike zone back in the day.
Or just Eric Gregg in the 1997 playoffs/WS.... and that was on the highest stage with supposedly the 'best of the best' umpires. Can't fathom what was going on in random june games between the Astros and Pirates.
Not that I care either way… but it does seem like AJ Pierzinski is openly rooting for the Tigers this entire game. Curious if any Seattle fans likely more vocal about this. Certainly don’t miss “national announcers” as is mandated in the playoffs.
AJ Pierzinski is a very knowledgeable guy if you don't know it's AJP doing the talking. Once I know it's him I reflexively hate him. Same with Nitkowski.
Goodnight Seattle. Skubal slated to pitch games 2 and 5 on regular rest and you've got to win 3 of the next 4 games.
