I've been chronicling the shameful quality of umpiring in the Majors this year. Last night in Detroit it hit an all time low. Three of the four umpires got into the act. We'll start with third base umpire Brian Knight who missed the tag on the runner going to home. In the post game interview the runner confirmed what replays clearly showed - he was tagged out on the foot. First base umpire Dana Demuth couldn't resist getting into the comedy act either last night. What looked like a foul ball was ruled fair by Demuth. I'll cut him a break here since it was a very close play. Where I won't cut him a break is that he missed blatant fan interference on the same play. How Demuth could miss this one is a mystery for the ages. Now for the disgrace for the night Hunter Wendelstedt. He had one of the worst nights I've seen in ages. The safe call he made at home plate wasn't even close - the runner was tagged out at least a foot from the plate. Apparently Wendelstedt doesn't know what is in the rule book. Galarraga was not coming to a set with runners on and it was completely ignored by Wendelstedt. Where do you start on Wendelstedt's complete lack of professionalism on why he threw out Gardenhire from the game. He basically did it because he could and then had the nerve to ask Gardenhire how he liked that. From the research I've done, Wedelstedt has a history of this kind of behavior.
How many more games must fans and teams endure before commissioner Bud Selig has the fortitude to hold umpires accountable? The current system is completely broken. Gardenhire will get fined and or suspended and the incompetent umpiring crew will not be punished.
Mr. Selig, I'll ask again. Are your umpires incompetent or are they throwing games?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
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