A long night, an awful call, a Braves win led by Scott Proctor
Is that Scott Proctor in the middle of a Braves celebration this morning? Nah. (AP photo)
Jordan Schafer looked at the clock. It was 2:15 a.m. and he still wasn’t showered.
“I would’ve like to have been asleep a couple of hours ago,” the Braves center fielder said. “But it obviously makes it better that we won.”
Is that what just happened?
One of the longest and strangest games in baseball history ended at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday. The Braves defeated Pittsburgh 4-3 in 19 innings.
Time of game: 6 hours, 39 minutes. If seemed like if it had gone much longer, shadows from the sunrise would have started affecting the hitters.
There appeared to be less than 5,000 fans at Turner Field still left from the original crowd of 22,036. Maybe they were thinking the longer the game went, there was a decent chance they would receive a free continental breakfast.
Or maybe they just wanted a story to tell their grandchildren one day.
Or maybe they figured they might get a chance to pitch. I mean, if Scott Proctor got a chance to pitch, could it be that long before team scouts began roaming the aisles for relief help?
This game went so long that catcher Brian McCann left after nine innings with a strained oblique, the Braves announced he would go on the 15-day disabled list and by the end of the game you wondered if he was healed and eligible to be activated again.
Here are some things you missed while sleeping:
♦ The numbers: 41 players combined for 158 plate appearances and faced — ready for this? — 608 pitches from 15 pitchers. The understatement of the day came from manager Fredi Gonzalez (who actually had been ejected with Nate McLouth back in the ninth): “Both teams are going to have to push their starters a little tomorrow.” No. Really?
♦ The spectator: It was just before 1 a.m. when Proctor – possibly the most lampooned Braves player since Greg Norton – became a trending topic on Twitter. Why? Simply because he was the Braves’ last non-starting pitcher left. He sat in the bullpen watching Tommy Hanson, Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbel — Hah! The closer entered in only the ninth inning! – Scott Linebrink, George Sherrill and Christian Martinez pitch. Wonder how many games of solitaire he played?
The thought occurred that the Braves were trying to avoid bringing Proctor in, given he started the night with a 7.36 ERA. (The fact Martinez threw an improbable six shutout innings of relief, a relative “quality start,” helped.) Any way, Proctor’s extending viewing became a running online gag. When told later he was trending on Twitter, Proctor said, “I was what?” You were a hot topic. “Oh, I’m sure. I’m not very well liked right now.”
♦ The absurdity: When Proctor finally got into the game, he walked his first batter. But he got the last laugh. He not only pitched two shutout innings and got the win, he had the game-winning RBI. Somehow. We were witness to the worst call by an official in the history of professional sports. (Hey, it’s late. I’m punchy. I’m entitled to make this declaration.) With Schafer on first and Julio Lugo on third, Proctor sent a ground ball to Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez. He stumbled as he took a step toward first. He joked later, “I forgot where first base was. I’m used to running to the dugout.” Alvarez fielded the ball and threw home to Michael McKenry. Lugo clearly was out by 10 feet — except on umpire Jerry Meals’ home planet. Meals called him safe. Then Clint Hurdle’s head exploded.
♦ Proctor was mobbed by teammates. It’s not the first time he has been in the middle of a mob scene. It’s just the first time people weren’t carrying torches and pitchforks.
♦ Some amusing commentary: This is from Braves general manager Frank Wren (following an eye roll and a smile): “I wasn’t close enough to make a call.”
This is from Lugo (between smiles): “He made an appreciation call.” A what? “He appreciated whether I was safe or out. I was safe.”
This is from Eric Hinske, as he walked past Proctor: “That guy can hit!”
This is from Schafer: “I started going back to second base. Then I saw Julio jumping up and down and I was like, ‘Wait, what happened? Oh. I guess we won.’ I thought he was out. But we’ll take it.”
This is from McKenry to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “I was kind of baffled. I didn’t know what to do or what to say.”
This is from Meals, who possibly was suffering from dehydration, heat prostration or dementia, to pool reporter Mark Bowman of MLB.com: “I saw the tag, but he looked like he oléd him and I called him safe for that. I looked at the replays and it appeared he might have got him on the shin area. I’m guessing he might have got him, but when I was out there when it happened I didn’t see a tag.”
Excuse me, but: “He oléd him”?
♦ One more number: Martin Prado would like to forget this one. He went 0-for-9. The game ended with him in the on-deck circle. Fortunately.
♦ Even one more number: The Braves stranded 23 baserunners.
♦ OK, final numbers: Dan Uggla has a 17-game hitting streak. But after singling in his first two at-bats to reach and pass .200 for the first time since May 16, he went hitless with a walk in his next seven plate appearances. He finished at 2-for-8 and saw his season average drop from .202 in the third inning to .199. Millions of little children had gone to sleep thinking Uggla would finally end a day hitting over .200.
With that, I’m going home now. It’s 4:44 in the morning. Traffic should be clear.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Heyward still determined to make impact on Braves’ system
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354 comments Add your comment
Kimberly
July 27th, 2011
7:53 am
i am with you nickgranite. I still dont see a definate tag. Looks like he didnt even brush his leg at all then put the glove up to show he had the ball. I dont think it is bad call at all.
26belly
July 27th, 2011
7:58 am
Just watch the d— birdie! “He missed the tag!” “He missed the tag!”
On the Braves website, watch the third replay from the outfield camera and the camera angle from the visiting visiting dugout. This is basically a second base type “phantom tag.” The ump made the right call and all the talking heads from the networks need to put down the scotch and drink some coffee this morning! “He missed the tag!”
NickGranite
July 27th, 2011
7:59 am
BC, if they had instant replay, do you see anything in the video that would make you reverse that call because I sure don’t.
Wes
July 27th, 2011
8:03 am
I know this isn’t about the announcers, but I will pile on with some of the others. I have the MLB package on Directv and I find myself watching other games more and more just because Chip and Joe are sooooo bad. The Diamondbacks have great announcers (Sutton & Grace) and the hated Mets and Red Sox have announcers that are actually interesting. I started watching this game full-time in the 9th inning just because I can’t handle those guys anymore. Please, please, please, bring Don back and put Chip on the radio. I think Simpson actually cares when he’s with someone else.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
8:03 am
He did not tag the runner. If he had tagged the runner, his glove would have been impeded by the runner’s body and his glove would have moved. Watch the replay. Glove doesn’t move. All air. The real question is, why is he making a swipe tag 3 feet in front of the plate when all he had to do was stick his glove out and/or block the plate? Not they ump’s fault the guy doesn’t know how to play his position. We’ll take it. SAFE!
Mitchell
July 27th, 2011
8:07 am
The worst call in baseball history is still Don Denkenger.
That’s not how you spell his name but his name is not worth spelling right.
That will always be the worst call ever.
Doctor Proctor
July 27th, 2011
8:12 am
I had to do something. I was about to get sued for malpractice.
Yep
July 27th, 2011
8:14 am
The ump is smarter than Schultz. Schultz says if the glove/ball is close to the runner, he’s out. The ump required a TAG – which wasn’t made.
Glad the ump had the balls to make the right call.
JT
July 27th, 2011
8:19 am
Think “BC” might be a Pirate fan? Speaking of Dumbass’s (that’s 3 s’s BC)
Am too old to stay up that late
July 27th, 2011
8:23 am
Two comments: Fact is stranger than fiction and what a great article! Well done Jeff!!
Samuel
July 27th, 2011
8:24 am
The Brave vans are so hard up for a win they’ve become delusional. Team don’t have the heart to win. They are too fragile. Get some tough guys in here that don’t get hurt every other day. Geeezz!!!
Jeff Schultz is an idiot
July 27th, 2011
8:25 am
Learn how to spell Martinez’s first name, loser.
MARK
July 27th, 2011
8:29 am
SEND MCOUT FOR A DRUG TEST HIS EYES ARE LOOKING STRANGE AGAIN,MAY BE A WAY OF GETTING RID OF HIM
go chipper go
July 27th, 2011
8:29 am
Uggla should have blisters on his ass from sitting on the bench until he gets his head out of his ass and starts playing ball
Dr. Phil
July 27th, 2011
8:30 am
Sutton and Powell are like stand-up comics at a bad comic bar. They talk more about their golf game and restaurant schedule than the baseball game. Vin Scully is the best announcer around, and I always listen to him when the Braves play the Dodgers. Scully sticks to the game, like the great announcers of the past.
Mister Carey
July 27th, 2011
8:30 am
Some folks just do not accept that I am one of the three greatest baseball commentators in the history of the sport. The fact that one of the other two was my grandfather and the other one my father has nothing to do with how good I am. Carrying Mr. Simpson on my back is no easy job. Accept my greatness and please shut your ignorant mouths.
icallbs
July 27th, 2011
8:33 am
Shultz…..great article. Hilarious.
1eyedJack
July 27th, 2011
8:34 am
All in all, it’s a W.
clay
July 27th, 2011
8:39 am
the past week has shown we need to sign a batter asap
Joey
July 27th, 2011
8:40 am
Nighty-night, Jeff.
What time you setting the clock?
Joey
July 27th, 2011
8:40 am
Better get a couple, clay . . .
GTT
July 27th, 2011
8:42 am
It took 20 years, but that almost makes up for the Drew Coble call in the World Series. On second thought, no it doesn’t.
Paul H
July 27th, 2011
8:42 am
The Braves have been jobbed by bad calls before, too. It’s part of the game when you have a 162 game season. And seriously, watch the replay. If they had instant replay in MLB, you can’t find indisputable evidence to overturn it anyway.
The Ghost of Rick Camp
July 27th, 2011
8:44 am
History is already being rewritten to say that Lugo beat the tag by 20 feet. Wow…. This reminds me of that perfect game for the Tigers pitcher last year that blew the perfect game. Unfortunately, that pitcher is now back in AAA. I assume the ump is still in the majors!! Ole…..
The Braves should give that little girl who is a Pirates fan free tickets for the rest of the series, just nowhere near a field microphone. 6 hours of endless yelling for her team! Prior to last nigh— I mean, this morning’s game, Proctor had struck out in all 3 of his previous major league at bats, back in 2007. So, it’s amazing that he smacked the ball hard in his 1st AB and then made the contact that won the game in the 2nd AB. No other Braves hitter seemed that inspired to get a clutch hit!!! GO BRAVES….!
meh
July 27th, 2011
8:49 am
quit being so dramatic Schultz. he wasn’t out by 10 feet. It was more like 4 feet.
Dumbo
July 27th, 2011
8:49 am
Jeff…that was one of the worst calls ever. Does anybody still think Chumper is the leader of this team after his asinine comment about the Braves don’t need to trade for a hitter….hey, Chumper they (Braves just left 23 men on base in a 19 inning game). If the Braves plan on making the playoffs they better make a trade today for Pence or Beltran…’cause Chumper is gonna play about 35 games at best…Mccann is out for 2+ weeks and Freeman is returning to true self at .250 BA
Paul H
July 27th, 2011
8:51 am
Jeff, you barely beat the morning rush hour.
Paul H
July 27th, 2011
8:53 am
I think EVERYONE is being overdramatic about it. It was a bad call. Over 162 games, bad calls happen. Geez. It least it was actually in the Braves favor this time.
Craig
July 27th, 2011
8:54 am
Coachtop, they made a scoring change on Uggla after the fact ( a day or two later ) that kept the streak intact.
dawgs019
July 27th, 2011
8:54 am
HaHa, Great article…hilarious start to my morning.
Grantdawg
July 27th, 2011
8:55 am
Coachtop: Uggla’s hit that ate up the third baseman Sunday was originally ruled an error, but was official changed to a hit the next day. His hit streak is still alive.
As for the play, I think it is funny thinks he was safe. Even Lugo knew he was out, and after seeing the safe call went back to make sure he tagged the base. It is funny because I am a Braves fan, but it is sad because I am a baseball fan.
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
8:56 am
Thanks to Chipper, we were without another roster spot. JUST RETIRE ALREADY. A swift breeze or any Hooters Girl will knock Chipper over and send him BACK to the DL. Do they have an honorary spot for him?
Get another bat immediately. Preferably one that can hit for extra bases.
DC
July 27th, 2011
8:56 am
This blown call is overshadowing the real problem…McCann being on the DL…horray..we won yesterday..but our best offensive player is out…and we are already horrible on offense…someone better step up. what was that Gonzalez was saying about whatever team says off the DL would do?
Hedley Lamarr
July 27th, 2011
8:56 am
Games like this just serve to further highlight the Braves’ offensive ineptitude
Krystle Meyer
July 27th, 2011
8:57 am
“This game went so long that catcher Brian McCann left after nine innings with a strained oblique, the Braves announced he would go on the 15-day disabled list and by the end of the game you wondered if he was healed and eligible to be activated again.”
This joke was stolen from the radio broadcast!
Lone Wolf
July 27th, 2011
8:57 am
Think Freddy Freeman will feel the strain of carrying the offense. Quite a load for a 21 year old rookie.
Jimbo Jackson
July 27th, 2011
8:57 am
The home plate ump last night had made enough bad calls throughout the game that he figured one more wouldn’t hurt. He night have screwed up and got that last call right. He should, however, be fired because the rule book defines what is a strike and what is a ball. With him anything near the plate and above the ankle is a strike. Pitiful example of a pro.
Contractor
July 27th, 2011
8:57 am
I’m a huge Braves fan, and even a homer, but I never want to win on a crappy call, and I am still not sure that I saw a tag. It appears as if the catcher swiped at Lugo, but may have missed him, but it also appears that he may have nicked him on the right knee at the end. Of course the throw was in PLENTY of time, so it would appear to be an easy call, but if you look closely, you won’t see any movement on the mitt or the runner that would suggest a clean tag. Take a closer look for all of y’all bashing the ump.
Chattanooga Chuck
July 27th, 2011
8:59 am
The Braves lost a game to the Pirates the same way in 1968. The only difference was it was a tag out, throw to 1st double play and the umpire inexplicably ruled that Felix Millan missed the tag. I’ve never forgotten that missed call but now I have closure. I guess that proves that if you live long enough all wrongs will be made right.
ATL Observer
July 27th, 2011
9:03 am
NickGranite:
You’ve got to be kidding! That’s pathetic man. Grow a sack and own up to the fact that you guys got a gift call.
southern hope
July 27th, 2011
9:04 am
around the 14th inning, I pictured Fredi and Nate asleep on cots back in the weight room so I went to bed too.
Remarkable
July 27th, 2011
9:08 am
It was a make-up call for all the strikes he missed.
Atlanta Fan
July 27th, 2011
9:11 am
Jeff, this is an hilarious hilarious column.
All, forget the TV broadcast….listen to don sutton & jim powell on 680…they are great old-timey announcers and they had a grand old time with last night’s game…I partly stayed up (well, until the 16th) just to hear them.
braves bobblehead 3
July 27th, 2011
9:12 am
He was OUT and the Ump made a mistake, case closed, but you win some and lose some. Bad calls happened to the Brave and they lost so put a W in the win column!!!!
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
9:12 am
The ump was brutal ALL NIGHT LONG.
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
9:12 am
Nick Granite and Growler are right, the reason that the ump – who I was over an hour into the game – made the call he did is that the catcher used a ’swipe tag’ instead of just putting the ball and glove on the runner. Lugo wasn’t trying to run him over but the Posey incident seems to have turned catchers into third basemen. You look at this pay, objectively, and you don’t see a definitive tag. The ump was right in his comments, upon looking at the replay he said, he might have gotten him and he might not have, but on looking at the play live there didn’t appear – to him – that a tag was made…and yes, that’s referred to as an ‘ole’ tag – like the bullfighter’s cape you know?
PMC
July 27th, 2011
9:14 am
Meals called him safe because he wanted to go home. That was so heinous he should be immediately fired. There are bad games and there is the game he called last night.
I guess he realized no one was going to score unless he allowed it.
Great effort by Scott Proctor, he hit the ball harder than anyone else in the lineup.
John Galt
July 27th, 2011
9:14 am
I listened on the radio and read the newspaper and assumed that this umpire just wanted to get off the field. However, after watching about 10 replays, I have yet to see a definitive tag. The hyperbole is out of hand- he may actually be safe. Only McHenry and Lugo know for sure, but it wasn’t as clear as commentators are suggesting.
Jae
July 27th, 2011
9:17 am
The call was a lot closer than i thought. Check out the camera angle at the 1:45 mark. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=17335331&topic_id=11493214
call me
July 27th, 2011
9:18 am
maybe the worst call I’ve seen in any sporting event, ever. The ump wanted to go home.