No doubt about what? No doubt that MLB has conspired against the previous champions (The Red Sox and the Yankees) and that they continue to do so in favor of the team who hasn't won a post season series in 88 years, the Chicago White Sox.
In a comment on my post regarding MLB's desire that the Chicago White Sox win the World Series I said that Crede struck out twice before he was actually called out because of a swing and a miss. The umpires have found a way to circumvent even that and now there can be no doubt that MLB is leaning toward the northern end of route 66 which connects the two dueling cities.
How did they do this? I'll explain for those who aren't sports enthusiasts. If the ball hits the ground before being caught on strike three, the runner has the right to attempt to steal first if 1)the base is open or 2)there are two outs (the base does not need to be open if there are two outs). Last night, bottom of the ninth, two out, tie score and Escobar shutting down the White Sox, AJ Pierzynski swung and missed for strike three. The Angels' catcher clearly caught the ball before it hit the ground. The umpire called the batter out! The Angels began to leave the field of play. AJ ran to first base. Instead of telling him to go to his dugout to put on his catching equipment to catch the top of the 10th inning, the umpire behind home plate reversed his call claimed that the ball hit the ground and called AJ safe at first. The Angels argued the call, but the home plate umpire refused to correct himself. Even after he saw the replay after the game where there is no evidence of the ball touching the ground, he refused to admit he was wrong!
A pinch runner was put in, he stole second on defensive indifference and Crede (the man who struck out three times in one at bat the night before) lined a double to win the game.
When the Queen of Hearts asked me who won last night, I said, "the umpires."
What would have happened? Well, over 80% of baseball fans believed that had the game gone to extra innings, the Angels would have won. I'm sure the umps believed this as well, which is why they decided to give the game to the ChiSox in the 9th.
What should have happened? The umpires should have conferred to correct the call. When they didn't, the manager of the Angels should have taken his players off the field in protest and sent up the next batter, Vlad Guerrero, to the plate for the top of the 10th. Picture it: AJ stands at first, Vlad at the plate, the field is empty. The manager is unable to continue play "under protest" as that is not allowed when the protested action is a judgment call by the umpire. Even though replay shows the ball was caught cleanly, it is still considered the umpire's judgment.
In protest, I suggest that the Angels catcher tag every batter on every third strike on Friday, whether the ball hits the ground or not.
The Angles will win the next game, the umpires will see to that. You can't gift wrap two games in a row for the same team. Hopefully, this will be the catalyst for instant replay for baseball during the playoffs.
Though this action has added credence to my theory, I'm still not happy that the integrity of the game is in jeopardy... let's see, when was the last time the integrity of the game was this tainted... oh yeah: 1919 when the Chicago "Black" Sox threw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.
I hope MLB is happy, they are ostracizing fans with their game tampering.
Wish it weren't true, but it is just my opinion.
4 comments:
Michael Holley of WEEI agrees with me! He said today, regarding the ump who made the terrible call that gave the White Sox the game (who will be stationed as the right field ump tonight) "You know he's gonna play a part in tonights game. There's gonna be a play to right field and he's gonna make the call against the Angels."
Holley didn't say that he's gonna blow the call, or make a terrible call. No, no! He believes that this umpire will make the call AGAINST the Angels.
It is not just Marc the baseball guru who is onto MLB. Michael Holley, Sports Columnist, Sports Talk Radio Co-Host, Fellow Baseball Genius!
Beam me up, Scotty. Hey, Marc... I found some folks who share your suspicions! www.conspiracyarchive.com
With NHL dying a slow, crippling death and a lackluster football season underway, why in the world would MLB need to orchestrate baseball games to extend their season a couple extra days? I'm a big believer in Occam's Razor, with the simplest explanation being the most likely to be true: the ump wasn't part of a sinister conspiracy - it was a momentary lapse of competence.
Discuss.
I also submit:
from Game 4 (I did not see game 3)
Podsednik picked off at first, called safe
Podsednik caught stealing at second, called safe
The HUGE catcher interference no call that would have made it bases juiced with 1 out instead of a double play ball.
And Game 5
The ONLY time the umpires come together to over turn a call that NEEDED to be overturned, it was done so in favor of the Chicago White Sox.
Well, the men in black gave the white sox the world series berth sooner than I thought, but it will be White Sox vs Astros and the Sox will take it all. You heard it here first following the AL and NLDS.
Another: To ensure the Astros head to the World Series, there was the phantom tag made by Astros second baseman on Cardinals catcher Molina as he ran to second. The result was 1st and 3rd, one out. Instead of bases juiced with no out.
There was no conference by the umpires and when you watch the replay, you can see the first base umpire staring down the baseline with a perfect view of the play. Did anyone aske for help? No. Did the 1st base umpire make the correct call? No. Did the 2nd base umpire recognize that he was in the incorrect positioning to make the call? No.
The only time the umpires got together to get the call right, it overturned a bad call that actually went in favor of the Angels!
Unbelievable.
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