Another Awful Call

I'd be remiss in my responsibilities if I didn't point out one absolutely HORRENDOUS call in today's Marlins-Braves game.

In the 8th inning, Mike Jacobs hit a soft grounder up the second base side. He beat the throw by a good step, yet was inexplicably called out by umpire Adrian Johnson (who at first called him safe and changed his mind mid-motion). I've been told that Johnson is a fill-in AAA umpire, but that still doesn't excuse yet another case of atrocious umpiring in the MLB. Another day, another inexcusable call. Instant replay can't come soon enough.

Oh, and this so-called AAA umpire will be calling balls and strikes tomorrow night. Should be fun. Let's hope he doesn't hold a grudge against Fredi Gonzalez, who rightfully got himself thrown out for protesting.

Instant Replay Coming!

This is going to be a very quick post. I just had to let you all know that instant replay is coming!

This is long long long long long overdue. Also amazing how two of the three instances cited in the ESPN article took place at Yankee Stadium. Yeah, it's really these new ballparks that are causing the problem.

The umpiring in this league has been piss poor for over a decade, ever since the likes of Angel Hernadez and Dan Iassogna were assured tenure (I have no idea why). Instant replay is needed not just on home run calls, but also on plays at the bases. We can leave balls and strikes alone for now.

Greg Cote Answers 7 Questions

We at The South Florida Fan (TSFF) are indebted to Greg Cote for being so gracious with our questions. He answered seven of them in his chat today. I give them to you below, with an additional comment from us beneath:

1. Q: With the Hanley Ramirez signing, the Marlins' record, and the poor play from other South Florida teams, do you plan on giving the Marlins some more spirited coverage? They could really use your help!

A: Yeah I've written columns off a handful of games already, most of the spirited variety. Fish have until mid-July (Dolph training camp) to themselves in the market and must take advantage. But the starting pitching is starting to be the concern everyone thought it might be.

Comment: Cote and the Herald have started to jump on board. The Fish need to stay in contention through July to garner perpetual interest.

2. Q: What are your thoughts on the Heat's chances in the lottery tomorrow night? Is the organization doing anything superstitious?

A: No, no rabbit's feet. However Dwyane Wade's feet will be at the lottery. Dwyane just bought his mother a church; maybe he can bribe somebody. As it is the Heat has a 46.5% shot at the 1st or 2nd pick. It's a really bad system that needs reworking. I'll say that now so it doesn't look like I'm whining when the awful Heat get the fourth pick and a much better teams lands Derrick Rose.

Comment: Glad Dwyane Wade will be there. 46.5% for the top 2 picks really isn't all that good, so we should hold off on the Rose vs. Beasley comparisons.

3. Q: Do you support instant replay in baseball, and do you think it will be approved any time soon? Thanks!

A: I don't support instant replay for calls like balls and strikes, but would like to see it for plays such as whether a home run was fair or foul.

Comment: Agreed, except I'd also like plays at the bases to be reviewed.

4. Q: Who makes it bigger in Hollywood: Jason Taylor or Dwyane Wade?

A: Damn good question, which is another way of saying I have no answer. Like both of their futures outside of their sport, but if I had to buystock in one guy's non-sports stardom it might be Wade. His greater appeal to the hip-hop crowd opens a few doors JT might not have. Close call, though.

Comment: Cote has always been fascinated by Hollywood potential. I think Wade has the higher ceiling, but he'll need to regain his top form and stay healthy.

5. Q: Between the Marlins, Heat, Panthers, and Dolphins, who are the five most standup guys? Are they also your favorites?

A: Marlins, Fredi Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez, Matt Treanor. Panthers, Olli Jokinen. Heat, Wade, Zo, Udonis. Dolphins, Taylor, Channing Crowder, with good early vibes from Tony Sparano. Will miss Zach Thomas. Yes the standup guys tend to be my favorites. The guys who don't duck when things are going wrong.

Comment: Excellent, thorough answer from Cote. Channing Crowder is a surprising inclusion (especially after his infamous "London" comments), but he is a Gator after all. Nice to see Tony Sparano getting some early love from the Miami media.

6. Q: Do you sometimes find yourself rooting against Lebron because he steals so much of Wade's attention (even when Wade won Finals MVP)? I couldn't help myself in the Celtics-Cavs series.

A: No, not really. That's cyclical. In June '06 it looked like Wade had overtaken LeBron. There's enough room for both, just as there was enough for Magic and Bird.

Comment: Apparently that's just me.

7. Q: With Le Batard on sabbatical, do you see yourself stepping in like a backup QB? You could be Steve Young to his Joe Montana...the Herald could have some tough choices.

A: I prefer to think of myself as Lou Gehrig stepping for Wally Pipp. Actually I've written more columns than Dan the past couple of years or so as he's cut back, so taking over this chat every Monday is probably the biggest change for me.

Comment: Any Lou Gehrig (of Columbia fame) reference gets major points at The South Florida Fan.

Thank you to all who participated, and special thanks to Greg Cote for accepting so many questions.

Instant Replay Gains Support

We've argued before here at TSFF, with some degree of vehemence, that baseball needs instant replay. Aside from the usuals suspects like Angel Hernadez and Dan Iassogna, the umpiring throughout the league has continued to decline.

Lately, the case has been building. David Samson, for instance, told the Marlins' TV guys that he would endorse replay, but cautioned that baseball tends to move at a turtle's pace. What proponents needed was a truly botched call on the national stage, and they got it last night.

In last night's Mets-Yankees game, Mike Reilly blew a Delgado HR call after conferring with his team of befuddled umpires. Buster Olney jumps on board with us today, using that as his example.

It's getting crowded on the instant replay train. I think it's time it left the station.

More on Instant Replay

Earlier today, I made the case for instant replay in baseball. Sure, I was stung by the iniquity that befell the Marlins last evening, but it's a league-wide problem nevertheless.

Well, our trusty Reader Tom pointed me to something that should help solidify my claim. Take a look at this truly awful call in the Braves-Nationals game. This egregious error makes Hanley's call seem innocuous. Absolutely horrendous!

These umpires are way out of control.

Baseball Needs Instant Replay

The instant replay movement in baseball has been gaining a lot of steam lately, mostly because of atrocious umpiring (Rob Neyer advocated for it yesterday in his chat). I've long been a proponent of it, and I'm incited to write this piece based on the game-changing mishap in the Marlins' 3-2 loss to the Pirates last night. If you missed it, Hanley Ramirez clearly beat out an infield hit to tie the game at 3-3 but was inexplicably called out.

There are three main arguments against instant replay:

1. Human error is part of the game
2. It will prolong games that are already too long
3. It undermines the umpires

All three are poor arguments. I refuse to accept that human error is a part of the game. Sure, human error was part of baseball's storied tradition when technology wasn't advanced enough, but now it is. There are some plays that aren't up for interpretation. Hanley's foot touched the bag before the throw got there. Case over.

As for prolonging games? This has the most merit, but it can easily be circumvented. I would propose a system reserved for only the biggest calls, such as close plays at the bases, homeruns, catch/traps, or fair/foul debates. We can leave balls and strikes alone for now.

Lastly, umpires ought to be undermined, becausing they're not doing their jobs well. If anything, it should give them piece of mind to know that they won't accidentally alter games the wrong way. They should see it as a security blanket, not a jagged sword.

Baseball needs instant replay badly, and it needs it fast.