Predict the Apology

[CaliforniaRaisin]

There is a LOT of hate at MLB right now in the area between not giving the Angels a day off after the ALDS and this call. Game 3 should be very entertaining.

[Laura]

I don't have a problem with the non-day off after the ALDS ... or, to be accurate, I don't think MLB should have flip-flopped the designated schedule for ALCS-NLCS games because the Yankees-Angels series went to 5 games. That's the main proposal I heard (mainly from Yankees fans thinking ahead to the ALCS).

 

I think if MLB is going to build a scheduling advantage in the series before the series starts*, MLB then needs to stick to that schedule and not reverse it mid-course.

 

*the advantage going to the team(s) that don't lose as much in the first round

 

TV seems to decide it, anyway.

 

In terms of building in an extra day or two ahead of time between series ... I have no problem with that and think it makes good sense, but apparently tv and advertising and $$ lean in the other direction.

[mhuber92211]

The problem with the "off Day" was that they would have had the off day if not for the rain out in NY. The general feeling is that iff a game is called due to weather (or other uncontrollable concern) the schedule should be addressed such that both teams have a more fair starting point to a series. SOme might say that by giving the Sox until Thursday to start the ALCS it would give them an advantage but they earned that by sweeping. They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

As far as the issue surrounding this thread, I think that the 15/15 vote for replay will be more lopsided now. Especially after the game tonight. The bad call on Grudz where the replay clearly shoes that it went off his foot will further convince people of the benefits of Replay.

[Laura]

The problem with the "off Day" was that they would have had the off day if not for the rain out in NY. The general feeling is that iff a game is called due to weather (or other uncontrollable concern) the schedule should be addressed such that both teams have a more fair starting point to a series. SOme might say that by giving the Sox until Thursday to start the ALCS it would give them an advantage but they earned that by sweeping. They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

I understand the scheduling problem.

 

I'd like to see more wiggle room in the schedule to allow MLB to assume that every playoff series will go the maximum number of games plus lose a game (or two) to unfavorable weather conditions or other events. Is it going to happen? Doubtful.

 

For what it's worth, I'm opposed to the notion of building domes into every baseball venue to ensure that mother nature never encroaches upon the game.

 

They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

Why should it be up to any team to earn or not earn an opponent's sleeplessness? Nonsense. White Sox took care of their own business (blech). Angels did, too; it just took them a little longer to do so.

[Careless]

The problem with the "off Day" was that they would have had the off day if not for the rain out in NY. The general feeling is that iff a game is called due to weather (or other uncontrollable concern) the schedule should be addressed such that both teams have a more fair starting point to a series. SOme might say that by giving the Sox until Thursday to start the ALCS it would give them an advantage but they earned that by sweeping. They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

I understand the scheduling problem.

 

I'd like to see more wiggle room in the schedule to allow MLB to assume that every playoff series will go the maximum number of games plus lose a game (or two) to unfavorable weather conditions or other events. Is it going to happen? Doubtful.

.

Well, it will be a tough sell convincing teams that the slower team in a series should get a chance to set up its rotation.

[gus_dog]

What if the season was shortened to 154 games?

[hardcorecubfan]

To Scoiscia and the Angels from MLB about that call. What an embarassment in a game of this magnitude and the result.

 

Inexcusable.

 

get over, Scoccia was right (very classy as well) they should have scored more so they weren't put into that position. To be an ump in that situation, I would love to see any of us call a perfect game. Thank god we aren't like football and have instant replay, the human element makes the game a lot more interesting. At least AJ didn't do a corey and stare at the ball on the ground.

[hardcorecubfan]

The problem with the "off Day" was that they would have had the off day if not for the rain out in NY. The general feeling is that iff a game is called due to weather (or other uncontrollable concern) the schedule should be addressed such that both teams have a more fair starting point to a series. SOme might say that by giving the Sox until Thursday to start the ALCS it would give them an advantage but they earned that by sweeping. They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

I understand the scheduling problem.

 

I'd like to see more wiggle room in the schedule to allow MLB to assume that every playoff series will go the maximum number of games plus lose

 

good points how about a few more DBL headers during the year a game (or two) to unfavorable weather conditions or other events. Is it going to happen? Doubtful.

 

For what it's worth, I'm opposed to the notion of building domes into every baseball venue to ensure that mother nature never encroaches upon the game.

 

They didn't earn the sleeplessness of the Angels by sweeping, they lucked into it by mother nature, FOX tv and MLB.

 

Why should it be up to any team to earn or not earn an opponent's sleeplessness? Nonsense. White Sox took care of their own business (blech). Angels did, too; it just took them a little longer to do so.

 

good points how about a few more DBL headers during the year, then starting the playoffs a bit early so wiggle room can be incorperated, and so somebody can be Mr. October instead of Mr. November by the time these playoffs are done

[BigbadB]

Here is my take.

 

Catchers should always get into the habit of tagging the runner on balls in the dirt or very near the dirt as was the case in this instance. Paul made a mistake in not doing so.

 

The batter should run in this situation also. To wait to see if a ball in the dirt or nearly in the dirt is the instant they stand no chance of being safe at 1st. Pierzinski did the right thing.

 

The umpire should stand by his call. He called him out. He did not see the ball come free. Why did he allow Pierzinski to take 1st base? Because Pierzinski made it to 1st before the throw he should be awarded 1st base? That's absurd.

 

What were the other umpires doing? Eddings called him out. There was no one on base at the time. Every umpire should have been watching the play at the plate. I suppose they also needed to be watching for a balk by the pitcher, but the 1st and 3rd base umpires seem to be able to watch for a balk and for a check swing strike, therefore they should be able to confirm that the umpires original call should stand.

 

The umpires look like idiots on this play and it's their own doing. I'm going to assume the home plate umpire is an idiot because he's wishy/washy on his calls. The 1st base umpire was busy watching the girl in the short skirt take her seat in section 4, row 4, seat 3. The 2nd base umpire was checking out Adam Kennedy's butt. The 3rd base umpire had an itchy scratch he was tending to.

 

I most certainly would have shown up the umpire crew after that obviously horrible call/non-call. I would have circled the bases on every ground out, ran to first on every strike 3, etc... As the catcher, I might have dove for a ball in the dirt that wasn't really in the dirt and let that 100 MPH fastball hit the umpire in a very sensitive area. Blame it on a mix up between the catcher and pitcher. I'd have the centerfielder catch a ball for out number 1 and run it all the way in and tag the hitter as he took his second step down the dugout steps and take the time to slowly walk all the way back to centerfield just to slow things down.

 

Could you really blame the Angels for doing all those things? The umpires made a horrible call in a very crucial game. Actually, they made the right call, but changed their minds for reasons that are totally beyond comprehension. I realize umpires make mistakes. However, how can 4 people totally miss that Paul caught the ball? Even if it hit the ground before it went in the mitt, it was quite obvious that he never "dropped" it. Someone should have simply said that the umpires original call of out should stand. The umpire wasn't in a position to say the ball wasn't caught. He'd have to be able to see through the catcher to make that judgment. He could also assume that he made the right call since the catcher didn't make any attempt to tag the runner, so he must have caught it. If the catcher didn't catch it, he'd know he needs to tag the runner, who just happened to still be standing right there.

 

The umpires are clueless and deserve all the wrath they receive.