Ugh. Regardless of whether it actually is the worst call ever, it's just hard to believe such an epic (albeit somewhat painful to watch) game had to be ended on such a sour note.
"SAFE! [you] Missed him!" Clearly, video doesn't prove anything conclusive past what the umpire saw WITHOUT a slow-motion benefit. Good call.
do you know how hard it is, as a lifelong Houstonian, to hear about a Pittsburgh fan whining about a call in a regular season game?? :grin: (see ima_drummer's post in this thread)
I don't disagree that it was a missed call, and a crappy way to end a game, but any play that requires a frozen-frame picture to confirm it cannot be considered a turrible call.
In looking at the very last replay, you can see why the umpire missed the call. On the previous replay, the announcers spoke about how the catcher clearly tagged the leg and arm, but on the last replay, it was clearly obvious he didn't tag the arm. While the call may have been missed, it wasn't as egregious as countless others. (Craig Reynolds was clearly safe)
ugh. i had the pleasure of meeting him once. great guy. we were introduced by a mutual friend and the first thing i said to him was, "you were safe!" he laughed and said, "tell me about it!!!"
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/7/27/2296871/braves-pirates-umpire-jerry-meals Jerry Meals Might Have Been Right
He grew up down the street from us and was kind of a friend of my brothers for a while. His nickname as a kid was 'Bimbo" (not sure why).
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super super close. Still slightly unsure, though i'm pretty sure he grazed the jersey on the leg. Unless the ump was 100% certain, he has to go with the fact that the ball was there 15 minutes early. But if he was really that certain...fine, go with it
If he was unsure, and his quotes sounded like he was unsure to me, he should have chose the option that continued the game.
Why? If he was unsure, and the replays showed the runner was safe, then he would have cost the Braves (who are also in a playoff race) a win.
I think the title should be changed to worst tag in the history of baseball...whether he actually did get him or not.
If he was sure, than I agree you have make the call, even if it turns out wrong (Jim Joyce). If you are unsure, you take the option that gives both teams a chance to still win the game. He didn't say he saw space between the glove and the jersey. And like I said earlier, he didn't see Lugo touch the plate, so how can he even be making a call that he was safe? MLB should have replays on game ending plays.
