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
Dirty South
July 27th, 2011
4:55 am
First?
Dirty South
July 27th, 2011
4:59 am
Looks like it’s gonna be a good day!!!
theriddler
July 27th, 2011
5:05 am
19 innings and no extra base hits for the home team. good golly miss molly…
iago's yoda
July 27th, 2011
5:38 am
Something nice to wake up to, a win is.
Sheesh.
Nick Howard
July 27th, 2011
5:43 am
That home plate umpire should be suspended without pay….his strike zone was HORRIBLE to say the least. At least the worst call he made all night went our way!!
Hindu Elvis Pimp
July 27th, 2011
5:50 am
Big Whup
collegeballfan
July 27th, 2011
5:54 am
You win some, you lose some.
NickGranite
July 27th, 2011
6:03 am
It’s the ole ball beat the runner to the plate (by a mile) so the runner must be out syndrome. The “horrible, rotten, awful” call headlines going around baseball this morning are just a bit simplistic. I’ve watched the replay several times on mlb.com and I have yet to see a definitive tag. At best the catcher MAY have touched a strand of fabric on the runner’s knee and I can’t even say that with conviction. Stop being sheep and look at the play closely, you have to at least admit it was much closer to a missed tag than everyone is reporting.
Growler
July 27th, 2011
6:06 am
Okay espn.com has a column up calling it the worst call ever. I watched it on SportsCenter and the TiVo and I replayed it about 10 times and I STILL cannot tell for sure that he the tag was made, despite how it looked in regular time. I also went to through the AP photo gallery and I could not see conclusive evidence there was a tag. Not saying there wasn’t.. but watch it on SportsCenter and slo-mo it, and then tell me for sure the tag was made! All I’m sayin is: I’ve seen blown calls that were far more conclusively blown than that. oh btw, maybe Martinez can replace Lowe in the rotation?!bawa
Growler
July 27th, 2011
6:07 am
NickGranite.. back at ya brothuh!
k daddy
July 27th, 2011
6:10 am
Jerry Meals said damn this we not going 20 my girl is waiting for me at the Waffle house.
Just a game
July 27th, 2011
6:14 am
ESPN will run the story into the ground like this blog will turn out. Personally, I thought he was out myself but glad the Braves won! I thought the umpiring was TERRIBLE from start to the long finish, not to mention both teams went ice COLD after the Braves tied the game…So does Wren get Beltran or Upton now??
BMC
July 27th, 2011
6:21 am
Thanks goodness for the missed call, I awaken three or four times and checked the score. The last time I saw Procter in the game and figured the Braves had thrown in the towel.
bravesown
July 27th, 2011
6:24 am
Runner was NOT tagged. That asshat catcher did a swipe non-tag and missed everything when all he had to do was simply push his glove into the runner. Even after the ridiculous swipe tag, all he had to do was touch the runner. What a moron…never tagged the runner! Idiot has no business in the big leagues, but, hey, we’re glad he’s here….Thanks, dude, for the walkoff swipe and miss! YEAH!
bravesown
July 27th, 2011
6:29 am
Runner was NOT tagged. That azzhat catcher did a swipe non-tag and missed everything when all he had to do was simply push his glove into the runner. Even after the ridiculous swipe tag, all he had to do was touch the runner. What a moron…never tagged the runner! Idiot has no business in the big leagues, but, hey, we’re glad he’s here….Thanks, dude, for the walkoff swipe and miss! YEAH!
slydog
July 27th, 2011
6:29 am
For all those who said they would puke or die if they saw scott proctor pitch gain… well, time to call your bluff…lmao.. I know, he got lucky, but a game like this may give him more confidence the rest of the season. Wow, the Braves haven’t played Pittsburgh like this in 20 years.
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 27th, 2011
6:30 am
Finally we can put the July 4th Ric Camp story to bed.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
6:31 am
Runner was NOT tagged. That azzhat catcher did a swipe non-tag and missed everything when all he had to do was simply push his glove into the runner. Even after the ridiculous swipe tag, all he had to do was touch the runner. …never tagged the runner! Clown has no business in the big leagues, but, hey, we’re glad he’s was here now….Thanks, dude, for the walkoff swipe and miss! YEAH!
Red Wolf
July 27th, 2011
6:33 am
Does Martinez get credit for a quality start?
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
6:33 am
Runner was not tagged… YEAH! And thanks to the ump for watching THE ENTIRE PLAY and making the call. It’s not if the ball beats the runner. The tag must be applied. Thanks, dude, for the walkoff Swipe ATTEMPT and FAIL.
Bama Fan#2
July 27th, 2011
6:35 am
Home cooking or just a really bad umpire wanting to go to bed? Proctor
a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lone Wolf
July 27th, 2011
6:39 am
Today is the day, Frank! Can’t afford to wait until Sunday!
RomeDawg
July 27th, 2011
6:39 am
Meals plate was all over the place all night. Thankfully it moved towards third on the final play. Glad I fell asleep at 1 a.m., I would have been pissed to see the game end on a blown call. Meals needs to realize the game is about the players, not him.
What a pompous jerk!
J Clay
July 27th, 2011
6:47 am
Main story, Mac on DL, Bravos 6 games out….does not look good
Gen Neyland
July 27th, 2011
6:50 am
Umps have a way of missing things, or not. That’s baseball, that’s life in the sporting world…Now, the guy that goes into the hospital for meniscus clean-up and comes out a kidney short due to a staffing screw-up, that’s a real problem.
murf4hof
July 27th, 2011
6:56 am
I doubt we make a trade for a hitter. FW has said more than once that we already have the pieces in the organization to win this thing
Kyle
July 27th, 2011
6:59 am
The way this team has looked that is the only way they were going to get a win. They should send that Umpire a thank you note.
Dr. Warren
July 27th, 2011
7:00 am
Wasn’t there a July 4th Braves game almost as long in the 80’s?
JJ
July 27th, 2011
7:01 am
Glad to see some support here for the idea that the tag actually was never made, since it wasn’t. Meals may have just wanted to go home and he clearly had a terrible night calling balls and strikes, but chances are that he got this one right. You can slow-mo this replay a hundred times and never come up with the conclusion that the catcher’s glove EVER touched Lugo. Of course it sounds better for Schultz to use his typical hyperbole.
stop2think
July 27th, 2011
7:02 am
Oh man, there are bad calls and there are bad calls. That was truly a horrible call.
GT71
July 27th, 2011
7:04 am
Agree w/ the ‘Nick’s – bad home plate umping all night long.
Knee-caps must be 8 inches from ground and the plate wobbled left, then right.
So it was wobbly to 3rd in 19th.
But I am sorry my DVR wont add 3 hours to recording, just up to an hour.
Hope to watch replay if FSS will air ait.
stop2think
July 27th, 2011
7:04 am
JJ are you blind? Even the ump admitted it looked like the catcher hit Lugo’s shin when looking at the replay. Sometimes you need to stop being a goober and start being a real fan of the game
NickGranite
July 27th, 2011
7:06 am
J Clay hits the nail on the head. McCann to the DL and Chipper out “several days” with a strain while Arizona. Pittsburgh etc are breathing down our necks for the wild card….
NickGranite
July 27th, 2011
7:08 am
The ump admitted it MAY have hit his shin. I agree with the ump, it MAY have hit his shin which tells me all the outrage MAY be a bit overblown..
Skeezix
July 27th, 2011
7:10 am
Glad they won it, really needed a win bad—but w/ McCann on the DL, call the medics and put this offense in an ICU.
Skeezix
July 27th, 2011
7:11 am
Oh yeah, glad to see Fredi stick up for his players. I was hoping he would scream and yell at the homeplate ump even longer.
JJ
July 27th, 2011
7:12 am
I don’t care what the umpire said he thinks he saw on the replay, I’m telling you what I saw on the same replay. Looked like the glove went right by his leg to me. All air.
Also not sure what any of this has to do with anybody being a “real fan” of the game
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
7:14 am
Even though it was a long game, I got sick of Chip Caray’s constant updates on the time once it got to be past 10 o’clock. This moron has one of the best jobs in the world and daily complains about how long the games are taking. Like father like son. He ought to have to work a real job for a month and I bet he would stop his incessant immature complaining.
Furman Bitcher
July 27th, 2011
7:21 am
Jeff, this is my all-time favorite article that I have read of yours. So much good material!!!
TommyP
July 27th, 2011
7:21 am
He “Ole’d” him. You’ve never heard of that in sports? Wow.
Furman Bitcher
July 27th, 2011
7:23 am
badbrad, I was thinking the same thing. “Clock strikes 1 a.m. in Atlanta”!! Blah, blah, blah.
BC
July 27th, 2011
7:31 am
This is the most recent example of the need for instant replay in baseball!! What if this were game 7 of the World Series? Jerry Meals should be suspended not only for missing the call but for his comments after the game. He “might” have tagged him!! Come on!! And Lugo is a douchebag! He was a douchebag in Boston and he’s an even bigger one now in Atlanta! He knows full well he was tagged out. He’d better keep his head down at the game tonight. I’m sure he’ll be “tagged” once and he’ll definitely know he was tagged. Well at least the Braves have found someone to take McCann’s place on the roster while he’s on the DL. Congratulations Jerry Meals! Make sure they spell your name correctly on the back of the Atlanta jersey when you wear it tonight – there are two S’s in DUMBASS!
Testiclese
July 27th, 2011
7:31 am
I’m just concerned that Hanson wasn’t able to go the distance.
JJ
July 27th, 2011
7:32 am
Speaking of the TV broadcasters, did anyone notice some of the stuff coming out of Caray and Simpson as we got into the late innings? Those guys must have thought nobody was watching anymore at that point. They are usually bad enough as it is, but last night they were especially atrocious.
Herschel Talker
July 27th, 2011
7:45 am
bad brad:
I couldn’t agree more. Skip was an overrated bum, and a jerk. And his son is just as bad a commentator (though he’s actually a nice guy).
HT
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
7:45 am
Simpson is okay; Caray is living on the coat tails of his dad who made a living on the coat tails of his. The next intelligent thing that comes out of Caray’s mouth will be the first.
He is the Nate McClouth of ATL broadcasters. Speaking of which, how much longer can the Braves tolerate McLouth’s wimpy arm, constantly throwing to the wrong base, overthrowing cut off man, and then when they are short of players, he gets himself thrown out for arguing a strike call. What a guy. Hopefully by week’s end we get Beltran and ship McLouth somewhere else.
Ghostrider
July 27th, 2011
7:47 am
I went to bed after 16 Innings, way to tired to stay up any longer. Haven’t seen the play yet but hey a win is a win….Iiiiii Like It
Jerry Blooger
July 27th, 2011
7:47 am
I actually thought Chip got better as the night went on
Coachtop
July 27th, 2011
7:47 am
Wasn’t Uggla 0 for 3 on Sunday? (according to mlb.com) How does he still have a 17-game hitting streak?
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
7:49 am
Jerry, that’s because you still had a supply of beer in the fridge.
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.
EBATL
July 27th, 2011
9:18 am
Two words come to mind: Rick Camp.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 27th, 2011
9:21 am
If he had not been for blogging on the blog during the game last night, no way do I make it through that game. The one liners at 1 in the morning of bloggers somaching through a game that had not seen a run scored in over five hours creates some hysteria.
Also boy when the ball beats the runner like it did you usually see that a out 9.9 outta 10 times even if the tag is a phantom tag.
jay
July 27th, 2011
9:22 am
After seeing this play multiple times from multiple angles it looks like he whiffs.If this was instant replay, the way football works, this call would not have been overturned.
Lou
July 27th, 2011
9:22 am
Watched the worst called game by a so called umpire that finished with a flurry. To the nuts that did not see the tag go get a checkup on your eyes. It is just wishful thinking that the Braves actually won.
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
9:24 am
Martinez was clutch. The guy pitched six shutout innings! Beltran NOW!!!!!!!
Donald
July 27th, 2011
9:27 am
What I think is funny, all the horrendous calls that went against the Braves and nobody said anything about what a bad call it was. The Braves get a bad call for them and all of a sudden everybody in the baseball world is crying about what a bad call it was.
BigTimeTechFan
July 27th, 2011
9:27 am
Actually the more I watch it it may have been a great call by the ump, The glove misses, looks like he did olé him.
Dan Ronan
July 27th, 2011
9:27 am
Nick Granite is right. You have to watch the replay several times and at best it’s inconclusive if the swipe tag touched the runner. The catcher moves into position and swings his glove around, but IF there’s contact with the glove and the runners body, it’s very, very slight and on the video it’s not clear. The catcher should have planted the tag on the runner, instead he didn’t, the Braves win and a very good umpire gets hung out to dry by the know nothing media, again.
Gene Chizik is funny looking
July 27th, 2011
9:30 am
2 things: The Phillies won a game last year when a game-winning hit was called foul (don’t remember their opponent) when it was CLEARLY fair. That call violated the laws of Physics and was much worse than last night.
Also, what date was McCann put on the disabled list? He last played on the 26th, but since he played in game that ended on the 27th, would that possibly push his return back one more day?
bravesfanforever
July 27th, 2011
9:32 am
It is time for McCouth to go.He made bad throw in the first game and last night he couldn’t hit the broadside of the barn and he knew we were shorthanded and he gets thrown out of the game.Also Gonzalez looks like he has got a chip on his shoulder.He needs to go with McClouth.Proctor looked like the lonely Maytag repairman in the bullpen.Got to hand it to Martinez.He thru great and he can hit.Why doesn’t he start for us instead of lowe.This is the second time he has pitched well over a lot of innings in a game.We need a bat more than ever now.Got to hand it too Schafer for playing hurt.The planets seem to be not aligned for us to make it to the playoffs.I also wonder how the parents of the little girl who was cheering her pirates on would tolerate her screaming all night at home.Somebody must have feed her a lot of chocalate,but I got to admire her.We definitely needed that win last night even if it was tainted.
Burfod DAWG fan
July 27th, 2011
9:32 am
AT LEAST THE BRAQVES WON
Hit A Single
July 27th, 2011
9:35 am
The bottom line is that McHenry should have put the tag on him and not olayed it. I applaud the Atlanta crowd and the Pirate fans on the atmosphere at the park. Brought back memories of Rick Camp on July 4 and his homerun against the Mets at Fulton Co.
Larry Munson
July 27th, 2011
9:36 am
I wet my pants again. Old age sucks.
Hit A Single
July 27th, 2011
9:36 am
Also pretty gutty perfromance by Procter also. He competed on the mound and at the plate.
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
9:37 am
I sort of think’s it funny that Clint Hurdle laughed the entire game, as they benefited from two strike zones all night, as their pitcher nailed schafer hurt hand with a pitch, and as their player hits david ross in the head with the bat. It was all funny, but the Braves got the last laugh. GO BRAVES!!!!
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
9:38 am
And that guy in the crowd had a ton of cups.
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
9:40 am
Someone needs to tell ESPN how poor the strike zone was all night. Lugo was closer to home than some of Meals’ strikes. I love how they twist this to be the Braves should have lost.
extremus
July 27th, 2011
9:41 am
I said this last night after the game and I’ll say it again: as BADLY as I wanted to see the Braves win after staying up and investing all of that time watching the game, the end result left me with the most hollow feeling I’ve had as a fan after a win. Yes, the Braves NEEDED that win, especially after seeing Brian McCann go down with an injury and Martinez make the awesome effort he did both on the mound and at the plate (the guy did EVERYTHING that was asked of him and then some).
But in the end it came down to the most blatantly wrong call at home plate that I have ever seen that decided the outcome; everyone in the stadium and watching at home KNEW that Lugo was out. Did Meals call him safe simply because the game had gone on so long on a hot night, with swarms of gnats around home plate pestering him, the catchers, and the batters, and because he and everyone else were just exhausted and he wanted to get out of there and go to bed? I don’t know; only he does.
But I cannot feel justified in cheering the call or the outcome though the Braves sorely needed the win and I want to see them win every time out; we all know deep down the Braves did not win that game (at least they didn’t on THAT play; who knows what may have happened afterward had the right call been made? The Braves still would have had a man 90 feet away with two out.). Bad calls happen all the time, true, but to decide a Major League game between two teams that had both worked so hard and long for (the Pirates and their fans have EVERY right to be angry and to protest that game) in such an openly unfair manner is just WRONG.
Win or lose, you give your best on the field, and you do so honorably and honestly. You don’t accept an outcome like this, win or lose; if this had happened to the Braves I know for sure folks would be up in arms here, so let’s not be hypocritical; the Pirates deserved better. This is the worst call I’ve seen since Armando Galarraga had his perfect game taken by a blown call last year, and from an obviousness standpoint it’s far worse. The power of the umpires is WAY too absolute and final in MLB. I’ve never been a proponent of instant replay, but last night at Turner Field, the game and BOTH teams, whether we want to admit it or not, would have benefited from it.
I’ve never been more upset over a win. I want to see the Braves win, absolutely…just not THIS way. We ALL got robbed last night.
archie
July 27th, 2011
9:44 am
1. McLouth should be released, immediately. He hurts this team day after day, and his girly tantrum last night should be the final straw.
2. Alex Gonzalez should be benched, immediately. Julio Lugo has earned a starting nod, after last night.
3. Scott Proctor is the luckiest man in the USA today. Freddie Freeman saved him not once, but twice with amazing plays. Which brings us to his first ever major league RBI:
Of course, nothing will happen to Jerry Meals. MLB pampers it’s inept umpires. Always has, always will. However, there should be a rule that after a certain amount of innings (14, 15?) or a certain amount of time (5 hours?), the plate umpire switches positions with another ump (2nd base ump would make most sense). Meals had that heavy gear on for 7 hours on a hot southern night, and obviously couldn’t see straight.
Hit A Single
July 27th, 2011
9:44 am
After watching all the replays I couldn’t tell you if he touched Lugo, so don’t give me that need for replay. Even Simpson and Caray said it look like he did, but they couldn’t tell. Give the ump credit for calling it and not saying that just because the throw beat him he is out. He didn’t see the tag make contact and called him safe. I have seen many tags at second on steals that were alot worse. I am sick of the Phantom Tags.
Ian
July 27th, 2011
9:46 am
It took guts for the ump to call it,but Did I hear him say,” Oh……..H…..I’m tired…….enough of this!” before calling him safe……………lol
Ghostrider
July 27th, 2011
9:47 am
Martinez pitched like a stud last night…Awesome
Hit A Single
July 27th, 2011
9:48 am
extremus- I all evens out over the season.
Ted M
July 27th, 2011
9:48 am
he oléd him…omg…even if that was the case, Lugo never touched the plate at least not till after he called him safe and scrambled to the plate.
We probably would have won fair and square with Prado as the next batter. I would have liked to see that.
Toni
July 27th, 2011
9:48 am
Coachtop: Call was reversed on Uggla’s hit Sunday (which it was). It was previously called an error but was changed the next day. Therefore a continued streak.
PMC
July 27th, 2011
9:50 am
maybe it wasn’t all that bad, The block was good and the throw was perfect but Meals was closer to it than we all were. I still think he got him on the ankle but I guess I understand his comment anyway.
The strike zone was very odd all night, but I do think he called it the same for both teams. After the low strike is called 10 times, hitters should have adjusted. The one that McClouth was butthurt about was a strike anyway.
TechMan
July 27th, 2011
9:52 am
They missed a call at the plate in the Reds game and it went against the Braves….nobody’s complaining about that. That’s what I like about the Braves good/bad call they just keep on playing with no complaints….now our sports writers, now that’s another story
Archie
July 27th, 2011
9:53 am
Technically, that wasn’t an awful call because I believe the ump made it on purpose. That ump just wanted to go to bed like the rest of us, not a single player had even sniffed home plate in 10 innings, if he didn’t call that runner safe at the plate the game would still be going on! Besides, neither team has any grounds to complain for losing that game, when you can’t push one run across the plate in 10 straight innings then you have no argument.
JASon
July 27th, 2011
9:55 am
I turned the game off after the 17th. A pathetic showing by both teams to not even be able to string a few hits together at any point. Good for the umpire to end the debacle and send everyone home.
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
9:56 am
The best I can tell the Pirates had 16 innings where they couldn’t score. So Clint, blame your offense, don’t blame the ump. You had 3 innings of a pitcher with an 8 ERA, and couldn’t score.
OUT
July 27th, 2011
9:58 am
The catcher touched him because he never tried to re-tag him.
extremus
July 27th, 2011
9:59 am
The Braves’ announcers talked about how the Pirates’ writers had told them how frustrating it was to watch the Pirates sometimes as far as getting runs home. Hmm, I think we Braves fans can relate. Last night we all got the answer to the age-old question: “What happens when an immovable object goes up against ANOTHER immovable object?”.
We could use a pick-up on offense, no question.
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
9:59 am
Clint, if your team actually gets that squeeze bunt play right, guess what? you win. you can’t whine about umpires, when your team failed itself.
Bravermen
July 27th, 2011
10:00 am
Ump blew that call. This time it went the Braves way but in general no one likes bad umpiring because sooner or later it will negatively affect every team. All I want is for the umps to have a consistent strike zone and to get calls right. The players will take care of the rest.
Diana Laughlin
July 27th, 2011
10:04 am
I live less than an hour from Pittsburgh…diehard Bucco fan, stayed up until the end. I’m at work now with my face actually hurting from lack of sleep, mad, pouting, and no one to vent to because I work with a bunch of women who don’t care about baseball…so I decided to check out Atlanta’s perspective on the game. I have to say your article made me laugh out loud. Great writing! Keep up the good work.
Julio Lugo
July 27th, 2011
10:07 am
I was clearly safe. Sports center says I was safe and so do I. He never touched me. He tried to swipe me but he missed and I popped up tagged the plate ball game. Shultzie i think its time for a new career or a new pair of glasses you moron.
Your almost as bad as the ESPN blog that has a video of him being safe bbut calling it the worst call in history of baseball. At least AJC hasnt thrown you under the bus like they did to the ESPN blogger. He had to pull his blog down because of all the negative feedback. hahahahahaha I WAS SAFE, NEVER GOT TAGGED AND BRAVES WIN.
DHD
July 27th, 2011
10:10 am
I have to be honest….I see what the ump thought he saw. He looked like he did a phantom tag. The problem is, with the controversy of collisions at home, you have to make an out call there. The catcher had him and didn’t make an attempt to hit him hard with the tag. He has to make the out call there but I can see where the ump thought he missed him. Had that been in the third inning, it wouldn’t have that big of a deal. The ump wanted to go home.
PMC
July 27th, 2011
10:10 am
All in all if baseball weren’t run by hopeless dinosaurs romancing about “the human element” We wouldn’t have calls like this. Replay would overturn it.
They should just pick this game up at some point in the 19th and go until someone finally hits the ball out of the infield with RISP.
PMC
July 27th, 2011
10:11 am
Seriously though, Lugo should start for a while. At the very least, he’s more fun to watch than AGonz.
RSD
July 27th, 2011
10:11 am
@Gene 930a- that game was against the Marlins in Miami late last season. It was a horrible call. I agree with you.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
10:12 am
U have to be an idiot to say that we get rid of umpires. That would make games twice as long and boring as watching paint dry. Get a clue, he was safe. Right Call was made
Lou Brown
July 27th, 2011
10:17 am
Dorne, don’t give me this ole bullsh*t
Bud
July 27th, 2011
10:20 am
I thnk there is room for doiubt. I saw all the camera angles all the networks, and there was no definitive view. You see a slo-mo replay of the tag, and one could say he missed him. It didn’t look like the glove touched anything, it didn’t change direction, it didn’t look like it was deflected, and there was no change to the reaction of the glove, hand, or arm. It was obvious the only place Lugo could have been tagged was on the lower leg. After viewing every camera angle all the TV broadcaster seemed ot have, the best angle was had by the umpire. So, as I said, there is room for doiubt.
Hap
July 27th, 2011
10:20 am
It looks like the ump never saw the tag because he was moving the bat out of the way. When Proctor hit the ball he drops the bat straight down and the catcher actually has to jump over the bat to get in position to take the throw. Meals picks up the bat and throws it out of the way then looks up in time to see the swipe tag, but misses the very beginning where the tag probably (ok really really probably) gets Lugo’s leg. The catcher never tags Lugo again and a stunned Lugo after having missed the plate then hops onto it.
So yeah, bad call, but not the worst call ever.
Contractor
July 27th, 2011
10:21 am
Lou Brown,
Ha Ha, funny as hell. And by the way, how would you like the manage the Cleveland Indians?
Shaggy1973
July 27th, 2011
10:28 am
Bad call or not, I am just glad one finally went the Braves way.
pete
July 27th, 2011
10:33 am
ESPN showed a different replay and it looks like he did miss the tag. LOL, all this hoopla and the ump may have been right
Hillbilly D
July 27th, 2011
10:36 am
In all honesty, that play at the plate was as bad a call as I’ve ever seen.
Spartacus
July 27th, 2011
10:37 am
Let me just say, that as a high school umpire, I run into these kinds of plays all of the time. We are trained to follow the ball all the way through the tag. It doesn’t matter when the ball arrives, especially at home plate. We must see a tag. The umpire (even though I thought his strike zone was terrible all night) was in perfect position and it’s very easy to understand why he made the call he did. The tag was applied quickly and then swept straight up. From the umpires angle (which, by the way, is the only one that matters) it probably looked like a careless tag from the catcher that never made contact with the runner. It doesn’t matter that the ball beat the runner, the tag must be made clearly in order to get the out call, especially with the winning run. Now, I will say, it takes a lot of guts to make that call, because the ump knows he’s going to get reamed for it, but it really wasn’t that bad of a call, considering he’s been on his feet for over 6 hours on a really hot night and people yelling at you all night. I think that when a game goes past 10 innings, they should take a 15 minute break and one of the field umpires should come in and relieve the plate umpire. You have no idea, unless you’ve done it, how tiring it is to be behind the plate for that long. The umpires are the only ones on the field that don’t get breaks or time to sit down for a minute or two in order to rest their legs. All I can say, is that unless you have ever suited up behind home plate and tried to call a game, then you have no idea how difficult some of these calls can be. Yes, I know they are professionals, but that doesn’t make it any easier to make some of the calls they make! You still have to call what you see. And by the way, a tie does not go to the runner, but to the umpire. There is nothing in the rule book that states that a tie goes to the runner. A good umpire calls a runner out on a tie in every situation in order to remain consistent!
StvenC
July 27th, 2011
10:39 am
Hey, I thought Chip Caray and Joe Simpson did a terrific job staying cheery and ON TOPIC (the baseball game being the topic!) in the extra innings! Chip wasn’t “complaining” about how late it was getting, he was MARVELING at how late it was getting! If you want to bellyache about the announcers, how about Don Sutton who will go 10 minutes on the radio without telling you the SCORE in the game? Now, the call: I was totally, totally convinced that Lugo was OUT when I saw the play on TV. I’m willing to have a replay change my mind, but I haven’t seen the replay yet that changes it. I think Means felt guilty about the lousy calls he’d made earlier in the game and overcompensated with one AWFUL call in the Braves’ favor. But, like they say — that’s baseball.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
10:39 am
He was right. ESPN banned me from their blogs again because I kept pointing it out them. They have a video up of him clearly being safe but then calls it the worst call ever in history of sports.
Its like come on you moron, your own network is saying he was safe and then you a blogger say worse call ever in sports history??? hope they fired him. Shultz your not to far behind, maybe get some bigger glasses so you can actually see what you are writing down and watching.
steve
July 27th, 2011
10:39 am
He may have not tagged him, but the “unwritten” rule is runner out by default if the ball beats him by 10 feet. Look at how many double plays that the shortstop/2nd baseman misses second base, yet it is still called an out. HE WAS OUT OUT OUT!!!!!! Ump just wanted to go home
Chuck
July 27th, 2011
10:41 am
actually on sportscenter this morning they showed it from 2 different angles and from the center field cam it was clear that he actually missed the tag. so i think it was just a tough call that could have gone either way.
Doug
July 27th, 2011
10:41 am
Hey Wes,
I can watch almost all Dbacks games on TV here in Arizona and trust me Sutton & Grace are big time “toe the company line” and ” Cheer everything the Dbacks do” announcers. I will give them credit when they talk about the game of Baseball and fundamentals, that is great for the novice fan & kids learning the game. You’d think Arizona is the 1931 Yankees listening day after day. Sutton and Grace are good not “Great” ( Vince Skully is the Gold Standard) and the Dbacks are good not great.
Art
July 27th, 2011
10:42 am
I think the safe call was a pay back because of all the bad strike calls the ump blew on the Braves hitters all nite.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
10:43 am
Steven check out ESPn they have several and MLB.com
I hear ya sparticus, I umped for 8 years and all summer long. I used to do 4 games on saturdays totaling like 8 hours and I thought I was going to pass out from the heat. And that is with break between games, I couldnt imagine 6-7 hours with no break.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Steve there is no unwritten rule you moron. Only for idiots like you to think they know baseball, thats how we weed you out.
No tag no out, this is MLB not rec baseball in some po dunk town idiot.
dark void surrounded by a sphincter muscle
July 27th, 2011
10:47 am
Ole’:
–interjection
1. (used as a shout of approval, triumph, or encouragement).
. –noun
2. a cry of “olé.”
can often be heard at Spanish bullfights and flamenco dances.
But the best definition came via youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO6Epvnjir0
best description of Meals is found in my name
skeptomaniac
July 27th, 2011
10:48 am
The best angle replay does not clearly show the tag applied so let’s not go overboard with the worst call talk. How many third strike calls on Braves hitters in critical situations that were clearly outside or low or both effected the game. I think the Braves were due the benefit of the last call.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
10:49 am
And those of you bashing the announcers, they are some of the best in the league. Anything beats listening to ESPN or FOX morons trying to commentate on teams thye know nohting about, mispronouncing names, decided which team to suck off. anyone that has decent baseball knowledge could commentate.
Heck half the time ill sit there and point something out to my wife and then 2-5 min later after someone in the truck spots it they announce it. ESPN and FOx commentators are a joke plain and simple. It was torture to deal with them for 2 straight games thank god they blacked out the 3rd one and let Chip do the play by play.
pete
July 27th, 2011
10:53 am
unwritten rule? LOL. You moron, there is no such thing
NCBravesFan
July 27th, 2011
10:57 am
“He ole’d him.”
Jeff: I think that’s a Spanish term meaning “he’s out, but what the hell, I think I’ll call him safe and go to bed.”
RattlerMan
July 27th, 2011
10:57 am
All you need to watch is Lugo’s reaction immediately after the “tag”. If he truly thought he was safe, he would have signaled it or said something. Instead, he has his back to the umpire and re-touches the plate when he hears the ridiculous call. He knew the tag was made and that he was out. Meals needed a meal and was ready to go home…PERIOD!! all that being said I DO NOT want instant replay for out/safe calls because I don’t want Schultz to lose his job!!
heartofdarkness
July 27th, 2011
10:59 am
Jeff, do you think this will convince the front office that the lineup is sufficient to go deep into post season? Looks like the some of the bullpen just needed a little more work (actually, if Martinez can keep the relaxed but aggressive attitude he showed last night, he can be effective. Proctor may have felt the weight of the world slip off his shoulders last night. Hope so.). And Lugo goes to the three hole, right? All in all, a team building moment. McCann will even be rested for September.
minor league
July 27th, 2011
10:59 am
sutton, carey and simpson—minor league announcers for a major league team. One day—the braves will hire pros and not local atlanta homers.
JR
July 27th, 2011
11:02 am
That call would not have been overturned with instant replay.
matty
July 27th, 2011
11:08 am
Meals needs to be suspended without pay for the remainder of the season. He wasn’t into the game all night calling more than 30 wrong strike ball calls at the plate. Secondly that play at home was a clear showing that he just wanted to go home and end the game.
St. Clarkston
July 27th, 2011
11:10 am
Every team wins one and loses one on a bad call each season.
the truth...
July 27th, 2011
11:12 am
I’m for Christian Martinez becoming the short relief RH pitcher we have been talking about trading for.
He proved he can come in and go 6 innings and even hit the ball….how many games this year have those middle relief arms blown it after only 2 innings?
Give him the shot come Thursday night and see what happens…
The call? I thought he was out and that Meals (who I cannot stand) was just as blind on that as on tons of strikes he missed all night.
Having seen the replay 20 times at least now I can see that there can be doubt about whether the tag got him or not. I will say this, that the phantom tag at 2nd always infuriates me when the SS’s foot is clearly not on the bag when he gets the ball.
I was speechless when the play happened and am glad we got the win, but know that if was McCann or Ross in place of the Pirates gutsy young catcher I would be screaming for Meals’s head for years and years.
RH middle relief need filled for now….Christian earned it ….now to the need for some bats…
Matt
July 27th, 2011
11:13 am
THE BRAVES SUCK 8=========D~~~~~~~~~
bud selig
July 27th, 2011
11:18 am
Braves have time to right this ship. McLouth needs to go, put schaffer there and let’s get a utility guy to platoon. Simple.
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
11:19 am
Whoever’s at the Ted tonight, get the Ole’ Ole’ Ole’ chant up
Nate
July 27th, 2011
11:20 am
I find all the comments calling for instant replay hilarious. Doesn’t everyone realize that even with replay the umpires would’ve ruled the call on the field stands just like the NFL because all the replays I watched proved inconclusive. To me, the blame goes on the catcher for the swipe tag and then not applying an additional tag on Lugo when he was standing upright next to home plate.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
July 27th, 2011
11:22 am
It was a weak attempt at a swipe tag by the catcher. Had he done his job, blocked the plate, and applied a tag they might still be playing. Making a lazy play behind the plate will cost your team every time. Especially with a crappy ump working the game.
JackDennis
July 27th, 2011
11:24 am
Shout-out to Pirate pitcher McCutcheon. Displayed a set. Pitched his heart out. Could play for me.
Bill Stanfill
July 27th, 2011
11:26 am
Can’t believe anybody can watch the replays and think Proctor was safe. Dudes . . . he was out by a country mile.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
11:27 am
correct call was made and our announcers are better than most in the country morons.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
11:28 am
Bill are you that dumb??? Proctor was the batter lugo the runner good lord get a clue.
He was safe by a hair.
millard
July 27th, 2011
11:31 am
By “appearances” it appears to be a bad call, however you can not say conclusively that the tag was made.
So I think everyone needs to lighten up. If you were going to make a call just to end to game, wouldn’t you make it on a close call that wasn’t controversial. The call “appears” to be so bad, that the call must have been correct. JMHO!!
duane a eaton
July 27th, 2011
11:33 am
All of the fans in the stands should have been chanting kill the ump like in the old days.
Ekim
July 27th, 2011
11:33 am
Vin Scully couldn’t pronounce Marquis Grissom’s name correctly during the entire 1995 World Series; he didn’t get it right once. It’s not “Mar-cus.” I decided then he wasn’t exactly the legend everyone makes him out to be.
LoweGoAway
July 27th, 2011
11:34 am
Jeff, this was your best column ever. Maybe you should be very tired when you write them all. Magoof is not one of my faves either, but I think he did the right thing by blowing his top. We are in a mess now anyway, losing McCann and Chip being hurt again. Sorry, this team is too inconsistant to win the pennant. As for bringing “I know everything” Don back to announce on TV, that is the worst idea ever. He is too busy talking about his own accomplishments to give a crap about the game that is being played.
Ekim
July 27th, 2011
11:35 am
The catcher snapped defeat from the jaws of victory. He did indeed ole’ the tag, and didn’t put enough of a tag on the runner to make it definitive.
Your Name Here
July 27th, 2011
11:35 am
When Lugo saw the safe sign the eruption of Braves was immediate. Strange they acted that fast to get all excited. Uggly walked in the 17th and hesitated after ball four. He then walked slowly towards first, afraid to get excited because the ump was so bad he could have called a delayed strike. Not wanting to play with a pitcher in the outfield (Prado would have gone to 2nd base), Uggly obviously did not want to make that umpire mad and get thrown out of the game for showing him up by running to first base on an obvious ball four. I was waiting for the umpire to reverse his call and let the game go on. That umpire made at least 20 bad calls, on outside pitches to left-handed batters that were balls called strikes. Then he get the trigger finger when McClouth checks his swing on a low ball, and throw him out of the game because he knew he did not swing and he knew the pitch was too low to be a strike? McCluth though there would be an appeal to the third base umpire, and to get ejected over that is ludicrist. Chipper got called out on strikes a couple weeks back on the same type of bad call (it ended a game). Last night the bad calls on outside pitches totally destroyed Heyward’s approach. He began swinging at bad pitches and kept grounding weakly to the shortstop. The game went 19 innings because the home plate umpire made the batters impotent, on both sides. Something has to be done with umpires becoming the central stars of baseball games.
Zaphod
July 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Not as bad as the Casey Anthony decision.
BC
July 27th, 2011
11:39 am
@NickGranite – Yes, it looks like he caught him on the left knee and then his right shin. The umpire even admitted it which leads me to believe if he had to go look at it under the hood, he would possibly see something to overturn his call.
@JT – I am not a Pirates fan. I’m a Braves-hater and a fan of baseball. And I only need one F to say F-YOU!
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!
After Long Night, Unbelievable Call in Pirates-Braves Game - NYTimes.com
July 27th, 2011
11:41 am
[...] The catcher appeared to make the tag and the plate umpire, Jerry Meals, called Lugo … safe.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 [...]
LoweGoAway
July 27th, 2011
11:42 am
BC…do you kiss your kids or your wife with that mouth?
Joel
July 27th, 2011
11:42 am
You forgot to mention the “Let’s go Pirates!!” girl….
Jordan
July 27th, 2011
11:43 am
http://isportsweb.com/2011/07/27/10-reasons-why-jerry-meals-called-julio-lugo-safe/
Mr. Dawg
July 27th, 2011
11:46 am
.Kent Hrbek pulled Ron Gant off of first base in the ‘91 series and the Braves have always lost. Home plate umpire Eric Gregg made dozens of bad calls against the Braves when they played the Marlins in the playoffs whatever year that was and the Braves have always lost. Revisiting history won’t change a thing. Whether McKenry missed or made that tag the Pirates will always lose this game. Move on.
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
July 27th, 2011
11:47 am
To CoachTop, Uggla’s Error reaching hit was changed (Almost 24 hours later) to a hit!!! Go figure..
GO Braves, it’s going to hurt witout BMac. big loss.
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
11:47 am
I just watched the replay again. What is very funny is the look on the other umpires. They look disgusted with Jerry Meals. Did his dog die yesterday or wife leave him? Man, he was terrible the entire game!
Brown Eyed Girl!
July 27th, 2011
11:48 am
I did not watch the game. Just saw on twitter the Braves won by a contraversial call. I watched it several times from several angles. The ball was there with enough time for the guy to run to home plate and wait for Lugo to get there. Why he didn’t move more to make the tag is beyond me, but based on what I watched, he missed the tag. He missed the leg and went between his hands! This was a legitimate call!
deb
July 27th, 2011
11:53 am
Awesome column Jeff! You’re even funnier when you’re sleep deprived than you usually are. And can someone tell me what “ole’d” means?
VegasJay
July 27th, 2011
11:54 am
Bad, bad play by McHenry – the ball did beat Lugo, BUT the catcher let the play come to him – Watch the replay and where the ump is positioned and watch the 1st swipe/”ole’” tag – at BEST he may a gotten a piece of uniform but from where the ump is at he can’t tell that – THEN the catcher makes the mistake of trying to tag him again which he clearly missed and that is what the ump saw. Go Braves and if you don’t have anything better to do than to bash Chipper get a life. And go David Ross – we’ll be better behind the plate and this guy can hit a little too (not McCann, but he’d start for most other teams in the bigs and hit just like he always has.) And thanks Fredi for finally getting thrown out of a game and doing a great job of managing this “awful” team which has the 4th best record in baseball and 2nd in the NL. Damnit I LOVE the Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VegasJay
July 27th, 2011
11:54 am
Oh yeah – SCREW ESPN!!!!!!
Tech Tard
July 27th, 2011
11:57 am
I almost forgot about “The Pirate Girl!” She was sooooo obnoxious. Move the microphone next time!
I happen to enjoy our Announcers. Have we already forgotten about “Boog?” That guy sucked monkey balls.
FOX is without a doubt the worst. They’re announcers turn sporting events into commercials. They talk about the Yanks or Red Sox on end at a Braves game. They are aweful.
bamabravesfan
July 27th, 2011
11:58 am
Although it would not have changed the outcome it would be great if a player admited to a blown call and the fact that in this case that he was out. Professional athletes are seen as role models but even when the cameras and all in the stadium see that he was out he says he was safe. Integrity in the game and in all of sports is another example of the larger decline in integrity in our society. Go Braves! Great game just hate that this call puts a blemish on it.
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.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:21 pm
Dude the ump even said he was probably safe. You have no argument you’re just an angry clown. Buster Olney said it was a bad call, i think ill take my eyes and his word over your no name self. K thanks
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:21 pm
Let me know when you realize how retarded you look. Especially with the blurry picture and birds eye view still shot hahahahahahha im still trying to contain my laughter
put me in coach
July 27th, 2011
1:22 pm
Yes the ball beat the runner but why would the catcher make a swipe call in that situation. He had plenty of time to make sure the runner does not even get near the plate. I am not so sure it was as bad a call as the media wants it to appear.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:22 pm
“He was safe” If you have a job it must require zero creativity, I pity your superiors of which I am sure there are many.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
LOL I still can’t get past the fact that the ump admitted he was probably safe and you still can’t grasp that, that should keep me entertained for at least the rest of the day.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:21 pm
Dude the ump even said he was probably safe. You have no argument you’re just an angry clown. Buster Olney said it was a bad call, i think ill take my eyes and his word over your no name self. K thanks
Really so the ump said that???? hahahaha he actually said i called him safe because he ole’d the tag and looked like he missed him. Wonder where in there he said i missed it hahahahahahha god your dumb
Old Violin
July 27th, 2011
1:25 pm
Not being at the game, watching it on tv, and wondering what just happened made me think back to all the times I made calls that my friends even told me were bad ! It ain’t easy, and my apologies to all the players I’ve called out/safe thinking I was right…..The real tragedy here is that our beloved/bemoaned Braves have a hitting problem……no disipline, no “We” and too much “Me”…….Brian McCann another story……truly a team player, and a great human being…..
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:25 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
LOL I still can’t get past the fact that the ump admitted he was probably safe and you still can’t grasp that, that should keep me entertained for at least the rest of the day.
Are you really that dumb??? please show me anything that says he admitted that.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:27 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:22 pm
“He was safe” If you have a job it must require zero creativity, I pity your superiors of which I am sure there are many.
O really then how would i would wasting time at work calling you an idiot??? Its called i have my own office and 1 boss but thanks.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:27 pm
Really AJC can we ban people for being just plain retarded so we dont have to listen to their retarded reasoning on things????
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
1:29 pm
Two peanuts walked into a bar, and … one was a-salted…
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:30 pm
HAHAHA Its right in this article you fool. jesus your making this way too easy. ” looked at the replays and it appeared he might have got him on the shin area. I’m guessing he might have got him”
wxwax
July 27th, 2011
1:30 pm
Having watched the replay a good many times, I can see why Meals made the call he did.
The camera angle that best shows his perspective supports his view that the catcher made an ole sweep without actually touching Lugo.
Meals is hurt by the fact that he had an inconsistent and unusual strike zone last night.
But having at first gasped when I saw his call live, I now understand if better. He’s at third base tonight. That’s right in front of the Pirates bench. I wonder what they’ll fill his ear with?
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
might is not an admission you retard
Zing
July 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
Hey guys– he really was safe! I saw the replay in HD+ slow motion. If you look closely, right when he’s applying the swipe tag, the ball disappears from his glove into another dimension, then reappears after the glove has lost contact with Lugo’s shin. McKenry also clearly opens his mouth and says, “Ooooooooooooolllleeeeeeee!”
Nice job, Meals! Now, go get yourself some Happy.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
How do umps call games on their GUESSES!!!! AHH right so after he made the call he admitted he PROBABLY GUESSED WRONGGGGGG! OWNED
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:33 pm
Now bend over because im going to spank you
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:35 pm
They are called judgement calls you fing moron. you have no clue about umpiring, I did it throught out HS and college. All judgement calls are best guesses of WHAT THE UMPIRE saw happen.
The catcher could have tackled lugo or slap tagged him and held it there, but he didnt. Instead he swiped at him and missed. Thats what you get for being a vagggg behind the plate
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:37 pm
All you have proved is you know nothing, and do your spanking on anohter website thats just creepy. You must be a tech fan with this guy on guy spanking you are trying to get going.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
1:37 pm
These two strings walk up to a bar. The first string walks in and orders and the bartender throws him out and yells “I don’t serve strings in this bar. The other string ruffs himself up on the street and curls up and orders. The bartender shouts, “Hey, didn’t you hear what I told your buddy?”
The string says “Yeah.”
The bartender says, “aren’t you a string?”
The string says, “No, I’m a frayed knot…”
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:39 pm
Judgement calls are guesses, thanks for pointing that out. Jesus go back to work already your toast. Who cares what the catcher could have or should have done, that is completely irrelevant. He tagged him and he was out period.
Come On (my face) Man
July 27th, 2011
1:40 pm
I’m an idiot!
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:41 pm
STICK A FORK IN EM HE’S DONE.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:41 pm
haha oh now you’ve lost your argument so im gay? If that makes you feel better then knock yourself out.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:42 pm
Really what do you think judgement call means you idiot of course they are their best guesses.
And what the catcher did was completly relevant. He attempted a sweep tag his glove never stopped and just kept on sweeping at air. Hence why he was called safe. And when you watch the VIDEO not some retarded blurry birds eyeview you can see that he made it under the tag and was safe PERIOD.
Come On (my face) Man
July 27th, 2011
1:43 pm
No I just figured you were a woman.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:45 pm
Really I though I just pointed that out to you dumb@$$.
Really the catchers type of tag is irrelevant????? Your dumber than I thought. Sit down and wrtie this down dumb@$$
He attempted a sweeping tag, a sweeping tag will have a disruption in its motion IF it hits something. Which in this case it didnt touch anything and swept through the air. Hence why he was called safe bc no tag had been applied.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:45 pm
Judgement calls, Yeah i was making fun of you for actually trying to explain it, theres no arguing with an idiot.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:46 pm
Let me know if you need to LEARN anything else about baseball. Be great to get rid of another dumb@$$ “FAN”
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
clkearly bc u still think a birdseye view would be accepted as proof in this arguement man your retarded
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
So because the guys glove doesnt stop at any points means he missed him completely? You have no logic, sorry to inform you
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
clearly*
KME
July 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
Sorry, Jeff…but you missed it…it wasn’t a bad call at all…considering I don’t need glasses either! The call, though Meals said he might have missed it…he made the right call. As long as the catcher’s mitt does NOT touch any part of the runner…and the runner has every right to block off the catcher with his hands, his body…NOT touching the ball, he will be declared safe everytime…and many people missed this. The ball never came into contact with the runner. The runner, Julio Logo…blocked the ball from ever touching his body. Thus, the runner was safe. This missed tag was never seen by the Pirates’ dugout…of course they will rant and rage about a missed call! They never saw all the angles…and those angels were shown. You, Jeff, missed it as well…and this so-called “bad call” or “missed call”…you missed/misjudged it as well. I saw it three times. Look carefully the second time…and was reassured the third. Like you and most people…you all did miss it…I didn’t.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:48 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
So because the guys glove doesnt stop at any points means he missed him completely? You have no logic, sorry to inform you
This isnt a jersey moron, its a leg. If it would have touched his leg you would have noticed his gloves sweeping motion be changed. which you dont
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:48 pm
Ever wiped anything off your shirt before? Does your hand have to stop at every point it touches your shirt? That’s a No by the way.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
1:49 pm
A man walked into a bar and sat down next to a man with a dog at his feet. “Does your dog bite?” he asked. “No,” was the reply.
A few minutes later, the dog took a huge chunk out of his leg. “I thought you said your dog doesn’t bite!” the man said indignantly.
“That’s not my dog,” was the answer…
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:49 pm
Right on point KME. APparently COme on man was watching the game with shultzie
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:50 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:48 pm
Ever wiped anything off your shirt before? Does your hand have to stop at every point it touches your shirt? That’s a No by the way.
Its not a shirt we are talking about moron. How dumb can you be. If it would have touched his leg you would have seen the sweep alter its path which it didnt.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:51 pm
Leg, jersey it doesn’t make a difference there’s no guarantee the motion will change. You assume it should change but it was obviously light contact.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:54 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:51 pm
Leg, jersey it doesn’t make a difference there’s no guarantee the motion will change. You assume it should change but it was obviously light contact.
Are you serious????Jerseys are baggy and flimsy. Last time i check the leg bones were solid and strong…… really come on man get a clue.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
1:55 pm
When you are sweeping that glove around its going fast, the runner is going fast any kind of contact would be noticed in the gloves sweeping motion which never happened.
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
1:55 pm
There was obviously contact at the plate…just not an obvious contact of glove/ball and runner. The Posey Thing has got these catchers gun-shy when it comes to close plays at the plate, however, the McHenry kid was fireplug and Lugo ain’t – why did he, McHenry, resort to a third-baseman-like sweep tag instead of puttin’ the tag on the guy?
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:58 pm
What are you stuid? Your comparing apples to oranges, your comparing a tag brushed over a guys jersey to a tag slapped directly into the leg.
oliver
July 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
I just watched the play several times on the Pirates team site and the catcher plainly did not touch the runner. He made a swipe with his glove instead of leaving it for the runner to tag himself out and the runner evaded the tag. That ump missed a lot of calls during the game but he got this one right.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
You can brush a tag over a leg the same way you’d brush a tag over a guys chest/jersey, it makes no difference.
KME
July 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
4th and fifth times in viewing, people….THE PIRATES CATCHER MISSED Julio! You can watch it again and again. The Pirates’ catcher’s glove never tagged Julio, never touched Julio! It was one good call the that umpire made…and he made the right call! There is no question about it. Jeff Schultz…you blew it…with this article. I don’t even wear glasses…REVIEW THE PLAY, AGAIN, JEFF! The catcher missed Julio…never applied the tag. It was the RIGHT call to make! Game over…and the Braves did honestly and technically win.
BTW, Coachtop….Uggla did extend his streak…you missed that as well. He got a hit in the game.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:00 pm
Really i didnt get that picture???
Are you that stupid? It is supposed to compare apples and oranges to show you the difference in tagging a jersey which is flimsy and wouldnt disrupt the sweeping motion and a leg that is solid that would disrupt the motion. Please read before you fire back and just embarrass yourself.
KME
July 27th, 2011
2:00 pm
OLIVER! I just read your remarks…and you do agree with me! Yes, the Pirates’ catcher never applied the tag…he missed him! He knows he didn’t touch the Braves’ runner. It was a pure miss…and I am certainly glad I wasn’t the only one to see this! Thank you!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:02 pm
looks like 3 on 1 now dumb@$$. If you really think tagging a jersey and tagging someone leg is the same i really hope you go play in traffic or make it so you cant reproduce dumb little ofspring like yourself.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:03 pm
Saw it here live and on replay over 10 times. Recorded SPort Center to see their angels of how he was SAFE as well KME.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:03 pm
Dude you’re comparing apples to oranges. You can brush a tag over a guys jersey the same way you could brush a tag over a guys leg. Again, theres no guarantee the glove will move like you’re assuming it will.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, “I think I’ve lost an electron.”
The other says, “Are you sure?”
The first says, “Yes, I’m positive…”
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
You have to be joking a jersey has 100% give in it. You can swipe a jersey and the runner wouldnt even feel it.
If you go to try and sweep tag a leg, IF you make contact that leg wont give and the gloves motion will be altered. Your basically trying to say that when you make a motion to brush your pants off you legs give in and you can contiune on your original path..
Do you not see how dumb you sound?
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Your comparing a glove brushing over a guys jersey to a glove running straight into a guys leg. It obviously did not run straight into his leg, thats completely different.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:07 pm
Why do I care about being right so damn much?!?!?!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:08 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Your comparing a glove brushing over a guys jersey to a glove running straight into a guys leg. It obviously did not run straight into his leg, thats completely different.
Its to show that there would be a change in motion you moron. Comparing it to the jersey allowed me to show that a sweep tag isnt altered when it touches the flimsy jersey bc there isnt anything in the baggy parts but air so it contiunes on its path.
If it touches a leg , which is solid, it would have a disruption in its path and it would be clearly noticable in replay which it isnt. So once again your a dumb@$$
Rob
July 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
I can’t believe that this idiot Shultz called the call (which was correct by the way, please people get some eyes) awful. Just about every other call that ump made all night was awful, but this one was right on the money. Big ups for Lugo for staying with the play and not giving up on it. That kind of heart is the reason why, at the end of the year, the Braves will be in their rightful place — NL East Champs, NL Champs, World Series Champs!
Go Braves!
Josh Smith for 3
July 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
Watching the play live, I thought Lugo was absolutely 100% out. After watching countless replays all morning, I still believe that he was out. However, the tag was simply not a very good one. McKenry’s glove made contact but he just barely brushed Lugo’s shin with it. If he had applied the tag directly rather than with a quick swipe, we’re most likely looking at another inning. And don’t tell me he didn’t have time to really apply that tag, the throw beat him by mile.
It’s pretty obvious that we need instant replay in baseball but apparently Bud Selig isn’t so sure. Must be easy being the commissioner of a game that has been virtually unchanged in over 100 years.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Lol wow you have very few comprehension skills. You can’t comprehend that theres any chance a guy could slide a tag over a guys leg without it completely changing its path.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
right on ROB. looks like 4-1 man. Your argument is getting weaker every post your almost about to give in.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Shultz is an idiot! I hate em I hate em I hate em
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
You keep saying it touches a leg which is solid. But like I said before the tag slid over the guys leg not directly into it, which would look the same as a tag sliding over a jersey.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Lol wow you have very few comprehension skills. You can’t comprehend that theres any chance a guy could slide a tag over a guys leg without it completely changing its path.
You a complete dumb@$$ for thinking that it wouldnt change the path. Your entire arguement is based of a crappy picture you saw. congrats idiot.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
Yeah im really worred about what some morons commenting on a sports blog post have to say. I can no longer go on.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
It doesnt have to be right into it. Even when you brush a leg your path will change and you will see it with the slow mo close up replay.
Keep making my arguement stronger please!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
Yeah im really worred about what some morons commenting on a sports blog post have to say. I can no longer go on.
Well at least the last moron left is leaving.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:14 pm
You’re a fool for assuming it absolutely would change its path. Don’t assume it makes an ASSofUNME
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
Its not an assumption it is what would happen period.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
1-800-Isuckatlife
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:16 pm
you can even try it out yourself. try and make a quick sweeping motion over your knee with a straight arm. You will see it gets deflected upward when it comes into contact even just barely touching the knee.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:18 pm
let me know how your experiment goes.. ill be here waiting on oyur apology
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
2:21 pm
If Pirates could have got a squeeze bunt down or scored in any one of the last 16 innings they would have won. Now they want to file a complaint about the game. They should quit crying. They had all game to score 1 run. Don’t blame the ump.
Zing
July 27th, 2011
2:22 pm
You know what? I just looked at the video online, and damned if it looks like the catcher didn’t actually ever touch Julio! I’m not kidding! The ball absolutely got there first, the tag should have gotten him, but it looks like he sort of did the ole thing as Meals contended. Weird-looking play. But by God, what do you know!
Little Girl
July 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
LET’S GO PI-RATES
Brad Komminsk
July 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
Yes, watching it in real time you can see where a tag is not in fact obvious. I’m sure the thing that makes it hard for the Pirates fans and players to swallow is the fact that the ball beat Lugo by so much he absolutely SHOULD have been out. But McKenry probably had it in his mind that they were going to be able to double-up Proctor, especially after he clumsily fell over himself and so did not put enough emphasis on tagging out the potential wining run. By the way, I’ll have a little more sympathy for the Pirates when Kent Hrbek pulls one of their players off a base to get an out in a world series game. Until then, we’re still the victim of one of the all-time worst calls.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
So, a neutron walks into a bar. “I’d like a beer” he says. The bartender promptly serves up a beer. “How much will that be?” asks the neutron.
“For you?” replies the bartender, “no charge.”
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
Guess Come on Man realized he was wrong and stupid hahahahhahaha
Rich T
July 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
You should stay up and write all night more often, Jeff. Your usual good writing is hysterical here. I loved the crack about Proctor and being mobbed. Great Stuff!
ATLcracker
July 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
There is no replay that clearly shows a tag, The still photo is from above and you can’t see. The replay from near the visitor dugout (1:45 on the MLB replay) seems to show he missed. But look where the umpire was. He had his face right in there at the perfect angle to make the call. I think he got it right.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
A man walked into a bar and sat down, and ordered a beer. As he sipped the beer, he heard a soothing voice say “nice tie!” Looking around, he noticed that the bar was empty except for himself and the bartender at the end of the bar. A few sips later the voice said “beautiful shirt”.
At this, the man called the bartender over. “Hey…I must be losing my mind,” he told the bartender. “I keep hearing these voices saying nice things, and there’s not a soul in here but us.”
“It’s the peanuts,” answered the bartender.
“Say what?”
“You heard me,” said the barkeep. “It’s the peanuts … they’re complimentary.”
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
I hope not trading Mike Minor for Carlos Beltran isn’t like not trading Andres Thomas for Barry Bonds.
JASon
July 27th, 2011
2:43 pm
They’re trying to say that it looks like his pant leg is waving. That’s called air. It has a tendency to make things wave, especially when something is moving at a high speed. Ever seen a flag
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
I don’t know if much has been made of the little gal Pirates fan in the outfield stands that you could hear over the TV…and I don’t know where the mic was that was picking up her voice, but the little gal has some pipes on her. Think Chip almost made her the ‘fan of the year’ with that act. Don’t think her little brother thought much of it though.
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
3:00 pm
…and furthermore, if I were the Pirates I’d find that little gal’s momma and daddy and give them all dugout-level seats for the next two games. Shoot I’d even bring ‘em to Pittsburgh.
Overcoming Depression and Anxiety | More Ammo for Pro-Replay MLB Fans
July 27th, 2011
3:08 pm
[...] Julio Lugo and the author of the game-winning RBI was reliever Scott Proctor is some indication of just how weird things got in the game. But Meals’s call, which can be seen in devastating animated-.gif form at Grant Brisbee’s [...]
Jake
July 27th, 2011
3:24 pm
Before anyone thinks I’m some I’m some Pirates fan trolling ATL newpapers, I’m not. But Lugo was dead at the plate. I watched the game via MLB TV from Seattle, and I was watching the Braves feed. Even the Braves play-by-play guys thought he was out. It was a terrible call, but what are you going to do? Game was over but it was a terrible way for a good game to end.
JeanE
July 27th, 2011
3:27 pm
Glad I didn’t stay up for that one…that idiot Meals obviously just wanted to go home and decided to give it to the home team. Boo Hiss!!
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
One day a little pig walked into a bar. He drank a couple, then got up to leave. he asked the bartender, “Which way to the bathroom?” She answered, “Go down the hall, first door on your left.” The pig went to the bathroom and left.
The next day another little pig came into the bar. he also had a few drinks, and asked the bartender where the bathroom was. Again, she told him, “Go down the hall, first door on your left.” Again, he went to the bathroom and left.
This went on for another week. One day a pig walked in. he had a few drinks, but he got up and started to walk out. The bartender stopped him and asked, “Aren’t you going to ask where the bathroom is?”
The little pig replied “No, I’m going wee wee wee all the way home…”
Jbellfp
July 27th, 2011
3:33 pm
Come on Jeff Schultz… How can you say he clearly had him by 10 feet? You might have seen where Pit’s catcher just nicked Lugo on the leg with the tip of his glove in a slowed down instant replay. But clearly? If you watch the replay from the camera behind the home plate umpire his glove comes up from his in one fluid motion. I can see why it looked to the ump like Pit’s catcher “oled” him. It was a horrible tag. You reporters… I just listened to ESPN talk about the play, and heard the words “although looking at replay there wasnt clear indesputible evidence that the tag was made,” followed by asking Buster his thoughts on expanded replay to avoid calls like this in the future?!Anybody else see anything wrong with that?
PMC
July 27th, 2011
3:38 pm
SWEEP THE LEG!!!
Zing
July 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
Guys, seriously– look at the video. He definitely SHOULD have gotten him–the ball clearly, obviously beat him and the tag was between Lugo and the plate– but Lugo was, I guess, so late, and the catcher was so focused on the double-play, that he MISSED THE TAG. Looks like by a centimeter. But plays at the plate aren’t like the phantom second base thing.
Amazing.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
3:51 pm
Douchebag missed the tag…YEAH!
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
3:53 pm
DingDong didn’t have sense enough to BLOCK THE PLATE…..YEAH!
Paul
July 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
From Pittsburgh. More injustices for the Pirates will come. When your team stinks for 20 years, suddenly become competitive, a game is on the line against a blue chip team…sorry you aren’t going to get the call.
ASG
July 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
Yes Lugo was probably out but the catcher applying a swipe tag left doubt with the umpire. He looked like a shortstop applying a tag to a baserunner attempting a steal. Catch the ball, block the plate and apply the tag.
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:15 pm
Something that I haven’t seen … If the catcher applies the tag correctly instead of as if he were at 2nd base, then he actually would have tagged Lugo. The swipe tag missed and its the catcher that should be shouldering the blame.
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
Oh an where was the outrage this weekend when Heyward clearly was not tagged sliding into home but was called out. The replay showed there that the tag missed him by a half foot.
David Granger
July 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
Looked like one of those “It’s late, boys…let’s go home” calls.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
They are protesting the Braves whomping victory…lol…How can you protest a game that went 19 innings? You had TEN INNINGS to win and your catcher missing the tag like a little league wanker wouldn’t have mattered! Hahahaha…it was just like watching Sid Bream all over again. Love it! Braves still own ‘em for TWENTY YEARS!
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
A 3 legged dog walks into a saloon and says:
“I’m looking for the man who shot my paw”
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
So this guy walks into a bar with his 10 foot tall giraffe. Despite the strange stares from the other bar occupants, they proceed to drink themselves silly.
After about a dozen drinks, the giraffe stands up and then keels over. At this his companion stands up as well, settles his bar bill and starts to walk out of the bar. The bartender shouts, “Hey idiot, you can’t leave that lyin’ here!”
But the man replies, “You’re the idiot… that’s a giraffe, not a lion!”
Hose job
July 27th, 2011
6:12 pm
the pirates got hosed by an ump looking to end the game and get back to his hotel, probably for a few drinks and maybe a “lady friend.” Nice!
Clint's hurdle
July 27th, 2011
6:38 pm
If McKenry knew that he had tagged Lugo, why didn’t he throw to 1st to get inning ending double play, especially with Proctor lying on the ground??????????
The worst call in baseball history? (The Week) | NewsPeruse.com Latest and Breaking News
July 28th, 2011
2:25 am
[...] It’s “the worst call by an official in the history of professional sports,” says Jeff Schultz at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Indeed, with so much riding on the outcome of the game — both teams are vying for playoff spots [...]