2013 World Series: STL vs BOS

[chattycattty]

The umpire didn't determine the game the red sox third baseman did. It was obstruction not that the third basman could have done anything to avoid the call. It was the right call.
Yes the umpire did determine the outcome of the game.  I do not watch sports to see how smart a particular referee or umpire is.  The powers that be are planning on looking at this issue during the off season.  It is unfortunate as a lifelong fan of the game to see a world series game end this way. 

[Vman96]

Although the obstruction call, technically was probably the right call, I sure hated to see a world series game end that way.  Just when you think you have seen it all, something like that happens.  I wish they would have called the runner out like he would have been without the obstruction call and let the game continue instead of allowing the umpire to determine the outcome of the game.

Baseball would be a lot different game if the umpire called Craig out. Fielders would intentionally get in runners' way and scores would drop significantly. He got it right, and things like replay (which they definitely should add) would just confirm it.

I was actually jealous at my ex-fiancee because she got to go to Game 3, a playoff game ending like that will probably never occur again in our lifetimes.

[chattycattty]

Vman and Edog, I respect your opinions.  I just don't see things the same way either of you do.  I am merely pointing out that in baseball as well in all sports, we need to do everything possible to minimize the effect that an umpire or a referee has on the outcome of a game. 
 
I love instant replay.  Baseball, in particular, has resisted its implementation for some time now.  I am looking forward to its expansion next year.  I remember that game a few years back where Galaraga had a perfect game taken away from him on an obvious blown call by an umpire.  The kid handled it with class at the time but last I heard he is not in the league anymore.
 
Another issue I would like to see the game of baseball address is balls and strikes.  The plate is so many inches wide.  You could program into a computer the vertical measurements from the knees to the letters on all players.  When the ball crosses the plate a sensor  could easily indicate whether the pitch was a ball or strike.  We have all seen pitches six inches outside called strikes and some right down the middle called balls.  We have the technology to do this now.
 
Baseball is a unique game.  I think it can remain an exciting game but still change with the times.

[Vman96]

Vman and Edog, I respect your opinions.  I just don't see things the same way either of you do.  I am merely pointing out that in baseball as well in all sports, we need to do everything possible to minimize the effect that an umpire or a referee has on the outcome of a game. 
 

Um, that's exactly the way I think. Replay should be in baseball too. I was just saying the ump was right...this time. There have been a few blown calls this playoffs though.

As for "hawkeye" technology, you could possibly do that too, but the traditional definition of the strike zone's height would make that a little difficult. It's not like tennis where the boundaries of game remain constant.

[edog743]

Chatty the umpire that blew the galaraga call is the same umpire that made the obstruction call his name is Jim Joyce. You can not take the human element out of the game. If you look at the rule book he had no choice but to call obstruction. In the rule book it is #2.0

[edog743]

Chatty I think the problem you have with the obstruction call is you are looking at the call with your heart and not your head. Which is understandable if you are a red sox fan.

[chattycattty]

Like I mentioned previously, I do not watch baseball to watch umpires determine outcomes of games.  To me it is about the players.  I am not interested in being impressed by an umpire trying to show how smart he is by recalling some obscure rule especially when it determines the outcome of a world series game.
 
Did not realize it was the same clown that made the Galaraga call.  If I recall he apologized and faced no repercussions for his actions.  Galaraga on the other hand was never the same.  What a shame that baseball will not allow Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame but will allow what that umpire did to Galaraga go unpunished.
 
Anyway, lets move on.  Red Sox ahead in series 3 games to 2.  If they can not win one of the last two games at home, they do not deserve to win the world series. Obstruction or no obstruction.

[chattycattty]

I am a Houston Astro Fan and have been since the mid 60's.  I just don't like it when umpires or referees get in the way of the game.

[edog743]

An astros fan. What is up with Nolan Ryan walking away from the team and selling his part ownership did they have a falling out?

[chattycattty]

An astros fan. What is up with Nolan Ryan walking away from the team and selling his part ownership did they have a falling out?
Nolan Ryan walked away from the Rangers.  I think he did have a falling out with them.  IMO it is going to be a big loss to the Rangers as before he got involved, for the most part, they were consistently not very good. I hope that he will get involved in some capacity with the Astros.  He has publicly stated that he has no intentions to.
 
His son Reid Ryan recently took over in May as president of the Houston Astros.  Last November they hired Jeff Luhnow, a former exec with St. Louis as their GM.  Because they have been so bad they have been able to accumulate some pretty good draft picks recently and should have a bumper crop again this year.  Their farm system has already been transformed from the worst in baseball into one of the best in baseball. So maybe there's hope. All they have to do now is learn how to win again.  Its been sad watching them lose in excess of 100 games each year the past 3 years.