MLB…This ain't Houston, and You Have a Problem

Two games, two serious issues.

The first, on Sunday, the Milwaukee Brewers were playing the Minnesota Twins. In the 7th inning, Joe Mauer was hit by a pitch, however the umpire called it a foul ball. Mauer strutted down the line, only to be called back. The umpire said that he fouled the ball off, and not off the hand.

The issue is not if he got hit or not, it's after saying it was foul, the manager for the Twins, Ron Gardenhire, came out to argue. He went out, Mauer showed his hand, and somehow, the ump changed the call. Milwaukee’s manager Ken Macha immediately came out wanting an explanation. However, the overturned decision stuck, and Macha quietly left the field. With bases loaded, the very next pitch, and I do mean very next pitch, Justin Morneau took it deep into the right field bleachers.

Second, during the Mets and Nationals game, Gary Sheffield took John Lannan deep into left field. Except, under the new rules, the manager of the Nationals came out claiming that a fan interfered with the ball, and that it wasn’t in fact a home run. The umpires are expected to watch it on replay. The video on ESPN clearly showed the fan hitting it, then the ball dropping down. It was no home run, anyone who watched the replay/game could see that, but the ump’s come out and call it a home run.

In two days, MLB got the best and worst from people that argue for and against replay. In the Minnesota game, the ump should've went into the, well, wherever they go, and look.

In the Mets game, obviously they need some high definition. WHAT in the world were they watching?

Two games, two plays that changed the game. The people that are in charge of enforcing the rules clearly screwed up. I know the Minnesota play is not able to be replayed, but, if you're going to have replay, have replay. If it’s contested, someone for god’s sake look at it. And more so, look at it with a good TV without rabbit ears and  some color to it.

In baseball where one play can change a game, anything should be looked at. For god’s sake, its already a slow game, adding five minutes isn’t going to kill anyone.

Also, shame on you Macha. You should've come unglued after the grand slam. You should have thrown bases, kicked chalk, like that minor league manager from last year who used the rosin bag as a grenade. To go back to the dugout, watch it go, and do nothing is disappointing.

Two other things. Mr. T as the 7th inning stretch singer? What? Was everyone else on the list busy? And lastly, oh to be a Ray’s fan. Up 10-0 and lose? Ouch.

Shannon Matthews is a Sports Jabber contributor. You can view more of his work at  Talking NW Sports

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!