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
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
11:59 am
*awful
VegasJay
July 27th, 2011
11:59 am
Ole” = what the bullfighters do when they “swipe” at the bull with their red cloth/cape/whatever it is – I think!! It’s highly possible that you could get a better explanation somewhere else Deb!
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
12:00 pm
bamabravesfan
Did you, a bama fan, give us a lesson on integrity? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Bravolass
July 27th, 2011
12:00 pm
Ump was melancholy about the Braves by 2 A.M. felt sorry for them probably. This hitting mess has got to stop somewhere. Get a guy that can hit everyday please.
Wolf
July 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
McLouth should be fined for a bonehead move. He KNEW the team was short of players, but he HAD to complain about a call and get kicked out. That is just stupid. When he threw to the wrong base the other night, he tried to make excuses instead of just owning up to a mental mistake. I will be SO glad to see this fellow GO at the end of the season. He has been a huge bust at the plate and in the field, and has been paid MILLIONS of bucks for NON-performance. My Pirate fan buddy told me at the time of the trade that Nate would not contribute, that he is fine on a losing team in a small market but NOT in a pennant race.
chip
July 27th, 2011
12:14 pm
I hate to tell you if there were replay in baseball, I don’t believe that play would’ve been overturned if they used the same “indisputable visual evidence” standard that they use in football. After watching the replay, I can understand why the ump called him safe. If the catcher lays the tag on him cleanly instead of swiping, we’re not sitting here talking about this. Blame the catcher for being too anxious to try to get two.
Thomas
July 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
He was safe if you look at the replay closely he appears to tag him and just barely misses his jersey , and the whole time the ump is watching closely at the right angle this is one time where the ump did not blow the call in my opinion.
iTiSi
July 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Sat up until 2AM to see the ending, and put up with the annoying little girl who was apparently high on caffeine. Wonder how many Dr. Peppers she had? Now my left brain and right brain are having a fight over the call., When I see one angle of the replay one half of my brain says “yep he was definitely safe” and then when I see the other angle, the other half of my brain says, “nope, he definitely missed him”. Guess this is the best argument ever for the old “it depends on the angle thing”. One way to settle it. Make McKendry and Lugo both take a lie detector test today!
cdog
July 27th, 2011
12:22 pm
everything even out for all of the cheating the umpire did during the games vagainst the vbraves especially balls and strikes.the wrongful ejections against gonzalez and nate mclouth. justice was served in the end, braves win.
tim
July 27th, 2011
12:27 pm
Can the Braves replace Lowe with Martinez in the rotation????
Bats: After Long Night, an Unbelievable Call
July 27th, 2011
12:30 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution captured the madness of the night and called it “the worst call by an official in the history of professional sports,” but attributed his harsh assessment to being tired and punchy. [...]
Slaphead
July 27th, 2011
12:31 pm
This is a pretty big deal over a mid-season blown call in a game between two teams that will most likely miss the playoffs altogether. Talk about a mountain out of a mole-hill….
Kaygeeone
July 27th, 2011
12:32 pm
To those of you who are displeased with the announcers and the players and the coaches, shut the F up and act like a true fan or take up a hobby like playing with your Barbie dolls. You should be ashamed of yourselves, you fair weathered Yankee transplanted bums!
eddie willers
July 27th, 2011
12:35 pm
Add me (55″ HDTV Screen, HD-DVR, Slo-Mo) to the ‘Olé ‘ crowd.
If he had hit flesh, the mitt would have bent (it didn’t), if he had hit the uniform, the fabric would have rippled (it didn’t).
Reid Adair
July 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
None of the video or still pictures that I have seen shows a clear tag. Yet, we have all of these “experts” proclaiming this the “worst call ever.” Either these experts are Pirates fans – or they clearly have never heard of Jim Joyce.
brazilia120
July 27th, 2011
12:45 pm
I have to say, I’m about fed up to “here” with ESPN. They have a center-field camera angle of the play at the plate last night, and at the point where the other replays show the tag “may” have been made, this one shows the glove 6″ above Logo’s knee. There is no ambiguity. The tag was missed. The ump, who was horrible all night long, actually made the correct call. But ESPN, with their obvious and long-running bias against the Braves, won’t call it as they replayed it.
As for our announcers, I don’t know what the beef is. Sutton is a fountain of baseball knowledge, as is Simpson. Plus, I’ve heard other teams’ announcers, and find a lot of them, like the ones for Arizona, a little vanilla-sounding. I like it when our guys tell old war stories. I like a little spice in the broadcast. I’ve heard Skip was less than likeable as a person, but I never met him, so I don’t know. But as a broadcaster, he was funny as all get out, and made the games more enjoyable. I wouldn’t trade any of them. And I sure am glad Joe Morgan isn’t doing games anymore.
Don
July 27th, 2011
12:50 pm
To you homers who claim the tag was missed, there’s a picture up at ESPN showing the catcher’s glove on Lugo’s leg 2 steps in front of home plate.
I stumbled on to the game in the 10th inning and watched through the 15th, and that was the worst home plate umpire I’ve seen since Eric Gregg. He called a strike on Freeman on a ball that was over the right handed batting box, then turned around and squeezed Martinez out of a strikeout in the next half inning on a ball that was right on the corner. Martinez turned his back in disgust and the ump walked out in front of the plate and glared at him. I thought he was going to toss Martinez. The handful of fans behind home plate were all over the ump. He should at the minimum get a substantial suspension for that display of incompetence and arrogance last night, but as a member of the umpire’s union he’s untouchable. Notice that after acknowledging he likely blew the call that ended a 19 inning game, he didn’t even apologize or express any regrets. What are the odds he has his rabbit ears tuned for the Pirates dugout tonight and tosses Clint Hurdle at the first comment in his direction?
bonzo
July 27th, 2011
12:51 pm
He was tagged at least twice, 8-10 feet from home plate. But at least we don’t have to listen to that 8-year-old scream “Let’s Go Pirates” on the TV broadcast anymore.
Why the Pirates truly got jobbed – The Cheap Seat - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
July 27th, 2011
12:51 pm
[...] Braves and Pirates went to 19 innings last night. In reality, it should have been 20+ but umpire Jerry Meals made a mess of a close play at the plate (see the video here) and handed Atlanta a critical [...]
James
July 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
Hey Braves homers, I think this photo should end the debate
http://yfrog.com/z/khss0caj
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
I really really really don’t like Jeff Schultz. That is all!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
12:55 pm
Ken Stallings
July 27th, 2011
11:40 am
For those of you saying the tag was missed, there is a photo that shows the catcher’s glove tip actually bend inward when contact was made with Lugo’s thigh. That, folks, is a tag!
Blown call! Miserable blown call! Brutal boneheaded blown call!
And yes, I am a Braves fan happy for the win, but wondering where the team goes from here with so much of its lineup in the training room!
Pictures are in 2D you cannot tell from a picture. You must look at the video moron.
I hope your not a true braves fan, bc u sir are an idiot
iTiSi
July 27th, 2011
12:56 pm
Worst call ever? Not even by a longshot. #1 Jim Joyce denying the no-hitter last year #2 Hrbek(somebody give him another vowel please) pulling Ron Gant’s leg off first base and tagging him out with the ump standing right there. That was a few years ago but still stands out. This one would make the top 10 but that’s all. This ump just felt bad about all the calls going against the Braves, having to throw out the mgr. and a player, AND WANTING TO GO TO BED!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
12:56 pm
Don
July 27th, 2011
12:50 pm
To you homers who claim the tag was missed, there’s a picture up at ESPN showing the catcher’s glove on Lugo’s leg 2 steps in front of home plate.
You cant determine it from a still shot you moron. its 2D you have to watch the video to get an accurate image of what happened. You sir are an idiot as well.
Roger
July 27th, 2011
12:57 pm
I officiated round ball for 24 years…one thing I believe in is “LET THE PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME”!! I watched the game thru the 12th inning before passing out (the beer didn’t help either). I’ve watched the replays several times and from what I’ve witnessed in the past when it comes to tagging base runners…unwritten rule: If the ball beats you to the bag (which it clearly did in this case), you’re out…period. Guess the ump had one eye closed…it was late you know. Tough one for the Pirates.
Bravo no no
July 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
Umpire was a cheating bum. He should quit, awful strike zone and he changed the outcome of the game, which he had no right to.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
12:59 pm
James
July 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
Hey Braves homers, I think this photo should end the debate
http://yfrog.com/z/khss0caj
Really James? Youre going to try and pass this off as solid proof???
Thats a bridseye view you cant tell where anything is you idiot. How are you people so easily fooled. God i hope you dont reproduce there are enough idiots in this world like you already.
Once again watch the video he is clearly safe morons.
Ghostrider
July 27th, 2011
1:00 pm
Yeah that little girl screaming lets go Pirates was an obnoxious little Biiitch wasn’t she.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
Roger
July 27th, 2011
12:57 pm
I officiated round ball for 24 years…one thing I believe in is “LET THE PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME”!! I watched the game thru the 12th inning before passing out (the beer didn’t help either). I’ve watched the replays several times and from what I’ve witnessed in the past when it comes to tagging base runners…unwritten rule: If the ball beats you to the bag (which it clearly did in this case), you’re out…period. Guess the ump had one eye closed…it was late you know. Tough one for the Pirates.
You sir have never umped in your life after that comment its clear. THERE IS NO RULE (WRITTEN OR UNWRITTEN) THAT IF THE BALL BEATS YOU THERE YOURE OUT.
I umped for 10 years and it is in no way a practiced rule by umpires period. You now get RETARD of the day.
Stuart
July 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
Worst call?? Try Kent Hrbek “tagging” Ron Gant in the ‘91 World Series. Or Eric Gregg’s and his Marlin-friendly strike zone in the ‘97 Championship Series.
iTiSi
July 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
Bonzo. how do you know that the 8 yr. old Pirate’s fan won’t be back tonight, hyped up on Dr. Pepper again, sitting on the third baseline, yelling, “Jerrrrrryyyyy Meeeaaaaannnnns, you’re a bum” the entire game? I really am expecting her to be there after she got so much attention last night, and even had her brother crying.
the dude
July 27th, 2011
1:02 pm
yawn, it is almost as boring as soccer over there. 10-4.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
1:02 pm
A horse walks into a bar.
The bartender says, “Why the long face?”
Paul
July 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
If you look carefully, the catcher did not tag the runner with the glove (or ball) but only with his forearm. You must tag a runner with the ball or glove to get the out. Good call, blue.
Pirates Girl
July 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
LET’S GO PIIIIRATES !! (Wait three seconds.) LET’S GO PIIIIRATES !! LET’S GO PIIIRATES!!! LET’S GO PIIIIRATES !!I !! (Wait three seconds.) LET’S GO PIIIIRATES !! (Repeat for six hours…)
Jeff: Can’t believe you failed to mention the eight-year-old little girl who screamed her lungs out for her beloved Pirates during the ENTIRE game broadcast. For those of us watching at home, that was as entertaining as anything on the field from roughly 11 to 2am. You MUST have heard her. Not only did she drive Chip and Joe nuts, but she also featured prominently in the post-game show. Hands down, Fan of The Year.
It was hilarious. It was astonishing (that her voice held out for six hours – - she must have only a dry whisper of a voice today). It was scary (that her parents kept her there til 2am). It was terrific (that she had such passion for her team – even though it was the wrong team – and you gotta love her for that). She deserves a column all her own. But, oy, am I glad she doesn’t live next door to me!
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:09 pm
Anybody who thinks that call wasn’t completely and obviously blown is crazy. check out this picture http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/word_street. Can’t umps be sent to single A for being stupid?
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:11 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:09 pm
Anybody who thinks that call wasn’t completely and obviously blown is crazy. check out this picture http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/word_street. Can’t umps be sent to single A for being stupid
You dont get an accurate picture from a still you moron it has no depth. How are you people so easily fooled. God i hope you dont reproduce there are enough idiots in this world like you already.
Once again watch the video he is clearly safe morons.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:11 pm
Clearly the glove is ON THE RUNNERS LEG at least 3 feet from the plate. Anybody else still want to argue?
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:12 pm
Come On Man- Can we ban you for being stupid? Your trying to pass off a blury picture from a birdseye view as proof???? Man your dumb.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:13 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:11 pm
Clearly the glove is ON THE RUNNERS LEG at least 3 feet from the plate. Anybody else still want to argue?
Its a birds eye view you cant tell if he is touching him or not idiot
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:14 pm
“He Was Safe” You don’t get an accurate picture from a still? What are you retarded?
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:14 pm
since when did a still tell depth. Since when did looking at a birds eye view allow you to see through a glove to see IF it was touching him?????
Get a clue idiot
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:14 pm
“He was Safe” Of course you can if you have a active brain cell or two. I know you might have a problem with that.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:16 pm
hahahahahaha please share your wisdom then. Im sure there are some photo jounalists out there that would love your insight you clown
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:16 pm
Let me guess your a retard from philly? they sure do make them dumb up there
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
1:17 pm
A guy goes into a restaurant/lounge wearing a shirt open at the collar and is met by a bouncer who tells him he must wear a necktie to gain admission. So the guy goes out to his car and he looks around for a necktie and discovers that he just doesn’t have one. He sees a set of jumper cables in his trunk. In desperation he ties these around his neck, manages to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free. He goes back to the restaurant and the bouncer carefully looks him over for a few minutes and then says, “Well, OK, I guess you can come in – just don’t start anything.”
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:17 pm
LOL well im glad you think you’re smarter then every analyst and journalist who’s mentioned this today.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
“He was Safe” haha oh and you’re original too “They really do make them stupid in (insert hated town here)” Im suprised you got up this morning without hurting yourself.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
Youre arguing that a picture is a good reference to tell out or safe. your the Fing idiot here. Shultz is an idiot, Yahoo sports writer idiot, the only guy at ESPN saying he was out idiot. Watch SC tonight or right now, they are showing how he was clearly safe. enjoy moron.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:20 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
“He was Safe” haha oh and you’re original too “They really do make them stupid in (insert hated town here)” Im suprised you got up this morning without hurting yourself.
Clearly a retard from philly.