MLB umpires continue their trend of horrendous blown calls, but they may have topped themselves by blowing two calls on the same play during extra innings of Thursday night's game at Coors Field between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.
It happened in the top of the 12th inning as the Padres had bases loaded and one out. Padres batter Yasmani Grandal hit a grounder to Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who stepped on third for the force out and threw across the field for the double play attempt. The only problem was that Arenado made the throw to first base before stepping on third, so Padres runner Kyle Blanks should have been safe, but third base umpire Cory Blaser called him out. Arenado's throw to first base beat Grandal by half a step, as it wasn't even close, but umpire Ed Hickox called Grandal safe. at first, even though the throw appeared to beat Grandal by half a step.
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| Yasmani Grandal called safe despite being beaten by throw |
Padres runner Chase Headley scored from third base on the play, which turned out to be the winning run in their 6-5 victory. It was dumb luck that the two blown calls by the umpire cancel each other out and fortunate that the calls didn't decide the game, but this is still absolutely embarrassing. You have to wonder how the umps can be this bad. Either every MLB umpire needs their eyes checked immediately, or there's something bigger going on. Maybe Peter Gammons was on to something.
Regardless of why the umps are so bad, Bud Selig has to realize that it's not 2000 anymore. We can't wait until next year for instant replay. We need it now.
Video via MLB.
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Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
