Situation: Top of the 8th, Yankees losing 2-1, Gardner on 3rd, Jeter on 2nd, Swisher at the plate, no outs — Big time spot in the game.
With two strikes against him, Nick Swisher appears to check his swing on a ball thrown in the dirt by Blue Jays Jason Frasor. Without seeking input from his colleague at 3rd base, home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman rules that Swisher had swung. Joe Girardi was then ejected for arguing.
Fortunately, the Yankees went on to win the game, but a bad and stubborn decision by the umpire could have proved very costly. What was the harm in checking with the 3rd base ump?
22 Comments
General Kim Jong Il June 6, 2010 19:44
I shall send my North Korean People’s Army to capture and torture him…
On a side note, I think I saw a few borderline calls going Toronto’s way in the game by HP ump.
Joe Morgan June 6, 2010 19:49
I don’t care what the replays show, in my heart I believe Swisher swung at that ball.
Sean June 6, 2010 19:53
Dreckman’s strike zone seemed to go from batter’s box to batter’s box and thighs to letters; he was terrible and wildly inconsistent.
I watched the last 2 innings with pitch fx open. On Swisher’s last AB, when he also struck out, the pitch sequence went like this:
1. Called strike (the only pitch that was accurately called)
2. Ball (actually a strike)
3. Ball (actually a strike)
4. Foul
5. Strike 3 called (actually a ball inside)
Something really needs to be done about these umpires.
Michael Kay June 6, 2010 20:09
My visa expired
Bud Selig June 6, 2010 20:20
Umpires are always right, just keep buying tickets and merchandise and shut the fuck up baseball fans!
John Sterling June 6, 2010 20:31
Well how da ya like dat !!
Swisher clearly checks his swing and yet gets called out, well thats baseball for ya Susan.
OHH MY GAWWDD YOUR RIIIGHT JOOHNN
Every Umpire June 6, 2010 20:37
I am so old I can’t see, and I am so fat I can’t move to get into position. I am also stubborn and a grouchy prick. But I have my job for as long as I want it so suck my dusty balls!
Mumble mumble, you and your fancy video recorders.
Suzyn June 6, 2010 20:48
Spell my name right John.
andres gallaragga June 6, 2010 20:54
I see the water in his eyes and he was cursing. So much cursing I knew the ump felt bad about this call. He say he sorry.
Andres Galarraga June 6, 2010 21:34
I play for Rockies from 1993-1997. My balls now small from hitting baseball so far.
Jim Joyce June 6, 2010 22:33
He went!
Roberto Alomar June 6, 2010 23:21
Umpires make me so mad, I wish I could spit in their faces
petebannedme June 7, 2010 00:12
I never thought I’d come around to support Roberto Alomar, but maybe he was justified…
Delmon Young June 7, 2010 01:03
Swisher should have thrown his bat at the ump.
Ron Mexico June 7, 2010 01:39
Anyone notice Joba’s mouth herpes?
Creampie June 7, 2010 01:50
Girardi said two words none of which were fuck and he got thrown out. Dreckman was awful and so was yesterdays umpire.
Cowboy Joe West June 7, 2010 02:19
I’d throw out the whole goddamn team if I could. By the way, come see me play some of my favorite country hits at the Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim, Washington.
JoeThunder June 7, 2010 06:37
The umpires continue to get it right.
Joeyjoejoe June 7, 2010 09:36
I like chicks with spray tans, WOTWOT!!! I like Ryan Seacrest too.
Michael Kay June 7, 2010 15:41
Had the umpire not made the call as he did, the count would have been 2-2. With that count, Swisher might have gotten a hit and driven in the runners from 2nd and 3rd, but you can’t rely on the fallacy of the predetermined outcome.
Dewey June 7, 2010 16:25
There’s nothing wrong with it, but the ump isn’t required to unless the catcher asks for it.
Also, find me the part in the rule book where it says that it’s a strike if you cross the face of the plate. Here’s a hint: It’s not in there. That’s because the official rule is if the batter “has the intent to swing at the ball”. While the usualy interpretation is crossing the front of the plate, it’s technically open to any interpretation that the unpire sees fit.
Jim Joyce June 8, 2010 11:05
I would’ve called him out after 2 strikes, cause that’s just how I roll, bitches.