The umpiring problem

I have thought for the last few years that the umpiring has been getting worse and worse. It has now reached a crisis this postseason, it has never been so bad. The game last night was the worst umpired game I have ever seen. I don't know how you miss the calls they did, Swisher being out at second on a pickoff, Swisher not leaving early on a tagup and Posada and Cano both being out at third. They also had a problem with the Angels catcher and the homeplate umpire where he was saying the catcher was blocking his view and you can see the catcher trying to squat lower and clearly messing up his game. I don't know what can be done about this issue but it is time for something to happen. I personally don't like replay in baseball but there has been this idea of putting some umps, maybe the line umps up in a box and they can buzz the homeplate umpire when there is a clear mistake and it can be changed. I wouldn't want challenges like their are in the NFL and of course balls and strikes and balks could not be changed as they are judgement calls. I personally think their training and the way they are graded needs to change. If you make mistakes as bad as they did last night you will not umpire any big games anymore or something like that so there is recourse for their actions. I think the biggest thing with these umps is if you aren't sure then don't call it. If they didn't call Swisher out on the tagup no one would of argued although Torii Hunter seemed to think he left early. I just think they need to pay more attention and be in the right position to make a call and not get spooked by the crowd or whatever else may influence them. I am sure Bud Selig was on the phones today trying to come up with something but hopefully something will be done after this postseason.

New York Mets at Boston Red Sox

The New York Mets have taken the first two of a three game series up in Fenway. The first game had Johan Santana on the mound doing his usual and of course the Mets didn't play too well behind him but did win the game 5-3 and last night was just a great game. Josh Beckett and Mike Pelfrey had a classic pitchers duel with the score 2-1 in the ninth and Papelbon in to save it. He was perfect up to this point and had a era under 1. Gary Sheffield led off the inning with a walk then Papelbon got David Wright and Jeremy Reed to strike out with gas. Omir Santos a journeyman minor league catcher steps up to the plate and smacked a fastball over the green monster for a 2 run homerun and the lead. It was reviewed but correctly called a homerun after review, it was originally called a double on the field. JJ Putz came on in the ninth because K-rod had serious back spasms and walked the leadoff guy then David Wright made a full body stop off a Jason Bay shot that was headed down the line for a double and probably tie game, he threw to second wildly but Luis Castillo made a great stop and kept his foot on the base for the out and then Ramon Martinez ended the game with a great play at shortstop. The game was great and the ninth inning just capped it off in spectacular fashion. The Mets will go for the sweep today with Tim Redding opposing Tim Wakefield.

Hip Hip Jorge

The New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians today by a score of seven to three. A.J. Burnett made the start and didn't have great control walking seven batters which I think was helped along by the umpire. He only gave up three hits and three runs though in 6 1/3 innings. Jon Albaladejo was the star pitcher though getting out of a bases loaded one out jam in the seventh. Brian Bruney pitched another perfect inning and Mo slammed the door giving up a hit but had two strikeouts. The offense was stymied early by Carl Pavano who retired the first ten batters he faced before Derek Jeter got a double. Mark Teixera had a rbi single and a walk and also got robbed of a hit. Jorge Posada was the star of the offense though pinch hitting in the seventh inning and hitting a two run homerun. The homerun was controversial as it was replayed and took eight and a half minutes for them to decide although they ruled it a homerun on the field and came back with the same decision. The homerun that was hit today is a problem in the New Stadium as Michael Kay mentioned on the Yes network broadcast and was also brought up by Peter Abraham on his blog and I am sure many others. The problem is that in the old stadium after the Jeffrey Maier game in 1996 when he reached over and interfered with a ball that was ruled a homerun the Yankees put security there so no one could do that anymore. The new stadium has seats right up against the wall so they can't do that anymore and any balls that are close like that have a chance to be a potential interference and lots of replays which could be a problem. The game saw a record set for most homeruns in any park in the history of baseball for four games. The new stadium also had the most homeruns hit to open a new stadium ever in the first three games. I don't know if this is good or bad yet but I suspect it will benefit the Yankees as they should have better pitching then most teams and have some firepower especially when A-rod comes back, he must be salivating at getting back and hitting the ball to right field. The Yankees will open up a three game series with old friend Jason Giambi aka The Big G and the Oakland Athletics tomorrow weather permitting.