Umps Targeted For Blown Call Again

By Tony Mangia

NO MORE TALK ABOUT GRASS STAINS

Nobody is screaming louder for instant replay today than New York Yankee fans. Last night's grind out win against the Twins was exciting enough but an umpire's bone-headed call could have overshadowed Roy Halladay's masterful no-hitter and made the mis-call the hot topic on sports-talk shows and ESPN.

The Yankees were leading 6-4 with two outs when the Twins' Delmond Young's line-drive blooped into right field was called a single. Even after replays clearly showed that Greg Golson scooped up the ball in the glove's web. After second baseman Robinson Cano pointed out there were "no grass stains" on the ball, a squad of six umpires convened and said the ruling on the field stood--Golson trapped it. Fans were throwing their beers at TV screens all over the Yankee Universe. A hydra of boneheads with every angle of the diamond still couldn't get it right. The Yankees' eventual victory let MLB dodge another bullet with instant replay written all over it. Never mind the ball, MLB could have ended up with one huge skid-mark on it's face.

The scary part for the Yankees was the fact that home-run hitter Jim Thome was swinging his bat in the on-deck circle. Thome, who will probably be the last untainted 600 career home run hitter who isn't scrutinized for the feat, has been clutch all season and represented the tying run against closer Mariano Rivera. It's ironic how quickly Yankee fans have converted to advocates of the replay and conveniently forget that the Jeffrey Maier/Tony Tarasco controversy in 1996 was the original call-to-arms for the use of video replay.

The flubbed call could have ruined a big come-from-behind win for the Yanks. Even though the team looked like the Pirates down the stretch, they did lead the league in comeback wins with 48 and these were the Twins who have now lost seven straight playoff games to New York.

The muffed call could have been an embarrassment to MLB. Every year the playoffs breed controversial calls. The games staff two extra umpires on the field. Why not put them in front of a couple of monitors and let them have the final say. It's a lot simpler than NFL replays where there are more aspects of the play to break down--knees on ground, bobbling the ball, and crossing planes. Opponents argue that using replay takes up too much time in a sport which is already delayed by players stepping out of the box and pitchers brushing off signs. Tennis uses computers to make calls without any delays. Technology makes it easy to spot balls and freeze frames.

Even overseas Rugby leagues use instant replay for disputed "tries". A indecisive referee just looks up at the replay booth, holds up a finger and awaits the "final" call from above. The problem with MLB may the fragile egos of the umpires. Tightly-wound umps don't like being showed up by players and surely don't want to constantly be called out by one of their own. Last night's cut and dry call could have been resolved in 30 seconds from a replay booth leaving only one slightly humbled ump and the right call.

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK CITY

The Fall season in New York can guarantee a lot of things: Woody Allen's latest old guy/young girl film release, Mets' fans refilling their Zoloft 'scrips', Christmas decorations sneaking into store windows, and the Yankees beginning a playoff run by beating the Twins. Once again, the most popular fashion accessory becomes a baseball cap with the white "NY" embroidered on it. The Giants and Jets are temporarily put on the shelf.

CC Sabathia was pretty ordinary last night and dug an early hole for the Yankees. He hit Thome and gave up a two-run homer to Michael Cuddyer. Mark Teixeira sparked a sixth inning rally and hit the game winner in the seventh. Rivera posted his 40th playoff save with a four-out performance. The 40 year-old has been shaky in recent weeks but manager Joe Girardi was confident his closer could go over one inning. Tonight they will be greeted by former-Yankee bust, Carl Pavano. The Yankees are wagering Andy Pettitte's groin pull has rehabbed.