Bad call then a bad pitch doom Yankees
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 07, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
The Helen Keller call by second base umpire Gerry Davis in the second inning doesn’t excuse what Mariano Rivera (1-3, 8.44) did in the ninth inning.
“It’s part of the game, you have to accept it,” bench coach (and interim manager) Don Mattingly said. “It’s the human part of the game.”
The Yankees – outside of Matt DeSalvo – were good and furious after the game. “He was out by three feet,” Robinson Cano said. “He said I tagged him too high.”
Too high? That makes no sense.
Davis, to his credit, admitted he missed the call. “I kicked the s*** out of it,” he said.
Said Jorge Posada: “You guys saw the replays. That’s all I have to say.”
DeSalvo will stay in the rotation and start on Saturday against Seattle again.
Two stats that prove that there are always market corrections in baseball: Alex Rodriguez is 5 of his last 28 and Doug Mientkiewicz is 8 of his last 21. Most veterans play to their means eventually.
——
Sorry for the lack of in-game posts. The pending arrival of Roger Clemens has ramped up the newspaper workload a bit.
Absolutely right – also did not drive in runs with the bases loaded – drop Abreu in the order till he picks up – a signel when they were loaded makes it 4-1 and probably puts it out of reach.
One of the worst call I have ever seen.
As horrible as that call was, why are Mattingly and Cano complaining about it after the game? Cano didn’t even flinch after the call was made, as though it was correct, and Mattingly didn’t come out of the dugout to argue. A call that horrible should be challenged immediately. Not that he would have reversed the call, but, to me, it sounds like they are whining after they lost a game they should have easily won. Don’t blame it on the umps after 9, when you sat on your ass after the call was made…
Pete,
How does Bobby Abreu just stare at that called 3rd strike to end the game? I can see how he drove the Philly fans nuts. And they did play better with him gone.
Mike: Don’t be silly. They can’t change such calls. Jumping around does no good.
The blown call still doesn’t make the fact that Mo gave up the dinger o.k.
So what are the chances of a protest?
How did you all find Mattingly during the post game interview. Either he was nervous or he will have tough time handling the media if he becomes the manager one day.
“How does Bobby Abreu just stare at that called 3rd strike to end the game? I can see how he drove the Philly fans nuts. And they did play better with him gone”
Why are you asking Pete this as he was the batting coach? Man we just have to accept it, Abreu is in a deep deep deep slump and should be moved down to 7th or even 8th in the order
This organization is too classy for its own good. If I was in charge, I would be out at 2nd base kicking dirt and tackling Gerry Davis. This is inexcusable. If I had committed such negligence in my job, I would have been fired. It should be the same for Davis. Gerry Davis’s job should be in jeopardy.
The fact that MLB is the ONLY sport that has yet to join the 21st century and come up with an instant replay system to get those calls right is an utter travesty.
Wow, tough loss. A good match though. Here in the UK, I’ve got the game on the telly thinking Rivera will put these pesky Mariners down.
When I saw them play live in the semi-finals in 2001, I was absolutely out of my head when Soriano launched the game winning home run. It was against the Mariners also, but it’s hard for me to tell, does Seattle have a lesser team these days? I’ve not been following closely.
Well, goodnight. Nice to have found this blog, some of my staff told me about it when I was trying to find the latest news about the team and they said it’s the most up-to-date.
Percy
Redsox Fans will always try bring up Jeffery Meier debacle when He took fake homerun by Jeter. Redsox Nation are so stupid saying Yankees now had Bad Karma and PayBack is a B*tch.
So Redsox got special treatment now by Umps and Good karma going their way?
From Now On, Every bad call from Redsox will not be called by Umpires.
Please, Stop bring Jefffrey Meier debacle when Yankees beat Atlanta Braves in World Series when they’re behind 2-0 against Braves.
In all the years I’ve been following baseball, I can’t say that I’ve seen a worse mistake by an umpire. It wasn’t even close!
IMO that call cost us the game, but it wouldn’t hurt if Mo would stop surrendering homers.
Hellen Keller call? That’s really offensive.
That Blind Umpire Jerry Davis has Website.
http://www.gerrydavis.com/contact.shtml
If anybody care to contact the guy – or at least his sporting goods store – there is the contact info and the website.
i don’t understand this “how could Cano not argue?!?” memo going around, started by Kay.
WTF does it matter?
they don’t reverse calls at 2B.
it simply doesn’t matter if he argues. all it does it maybe gets Cano ejected.
they guy blew the call, it PROBABLY cost them the game.
but let’s not overlook the fact the yanks have gotten 3 straight excellent starts and have won 5 of 7.
they should have won tonight, but i’m sure sometime this season the yanks will benefit from a terrible call and get to steal a game back.
“If anybody care to contact the guy – or at least his sporting goods store – there is the contact info and the website.”
why? he admitted he blew the call. what else do you want him to do?
I don’t find it offensive, lighten up.
Excellent work Pete, being a NY transplant to San Francisco, it’s nice to read some good hometown sports writing. I struggle getting through the pathetic sports coverage out here, particularly baseball.
At least the ump admitted it was a bad call. The lack of clutch hitting with risp was worse. The could have tacked on 3 or 4 runs and the blown call would have been meaningless. Abreu was brutal tonight.
“So what are the chances of a protest?”
none.
balls/strikes, out/safe are umpire’s discretion. it’s not the same as a rules violation, i.e. the other pitcher had pine tar on his hand.
you can’t protest a blown call.
dennisrasmussen,
As one who lives in the Philly area presently, I can’t tell you enough how people here disliked Abreu. He was not clutch at all. I can’t tell you the number of times when it seemed he was afraid to swing the bat in the situation like tonight. It was like he was praying for a walk. In fairness though, as bad as Abreu was, Pat Burrell is 5 times worse.
Okay, so Cano, Posada and maybe Mattingly all thought it was a bad call, yet no one argued it.
This team needs a fire lit under its collective butts.
http://i42.photobucket.com/alb...../4feet.jpg
Terrible Call by Umpire. Here’s a picture of that Play. Wtf He’s looking at
Hmmm,
Even if it was protestable, what’s the sense? When is the last time a protesting team won their case? The infamous George Brett home run/temper tantrum?
Really bad call, but these things happen. We just need to sweep the Rangers again and get Mo back on track.
exactly. protests never work.
One of the worst calls I’ve seen. Doesn’t change a lot of the other things that went on–Abreu needs to be dropped until he puts it together– but that one call ruined the game. I don’t know how the guy can keep his job after that, he was looking at the play over his shoulder with his back turned. Horrible call, and I hated seeing DeSalvo’s win go down in flames.
For the record, the Jeffrey Maier play was against the Orioles, not the Red Sox.
Wow big guy admitted he made a mistake. again a mistake is on a bang bang play that happens all the time.. he missed the call by 2 feet..
tell the lazy pig to move his fat legs so he can get closer to the bag an exert some energy..
if people think he is a stand up guy by admitting his mistake I think you are fools, the guy was out by feet, but the lazy, primadonna wanted to make the call from 8 feet away.If they miss the playoffs by 1 game I assume everyone will be as understanding then!!!!!!!!!!!
that changed everything and directly led to the loss…….
Abreu is in a helluva slump he plays so lethergic it can put you to sleep…
Just like throwing at the opposing players the Yanks lack of arguing calls even though they cannot be overruled upsets many of us because right or wrong we percieve a lack of fire….
Mattingly after the game gives one terrible interview does he know how to talk???
terrible loss…
Abreu is friggin’ killing us and there is no way this guy is a three hitter on a championship club. Is there anyone who’s actually happy to see him come up in a big spot?
And it’s not just a slump either. He’s been crap for a couple of years now, with his second half last year being the exception, not the rule. It’s no accident that Philly gave him to us for nothing, after every other team said no thanks.
Also, spare me the nonsense about how often he walks. Teams have figured out that he’s afraid to swing and can’t hurt you when he does. He’s the only three hitter in the sport who would take a cookie in the middle of the plate to end a game.
also the Jeff Maier play happened very quickly and the umps were hundred feet away and the play happened over 10 years ago..
this ump should have been 5 feet or less from the play not 150 feet………….
And would it have killed him to dive for Jojima’s bloop to right in the eighth? It would have been a miracle catch but what would have been the downside other than some grass stains on his friggin’ uniform.
My favorite Yankee was Paul O’Neill and to see Abreu scared to death of swinging the bat in big spots makes me sick to my stomach. Patience and fear are two very different things.
If Abreu stays in the 3 spot, then NY really doesn’t care about winning.
this is one game I don’t blame the Yankees for losing, that ump blew that call , and no I don’t want instant replay I want accountability for blowing calls like those.
Additionally, had Davis made the correct call, Mo would not have had to pitch to Beltre.
This one hurts.
“And would it have killed him to dive for Jojima’s bloop to right in the eighth? It would have been a miracle catch but what would have been the downside other than some grass stains on his friggin’ uniform.”
I thought the same thing. He actually pulled up and backed away slightly when he did have a slight chance to catch the ball if he dove. He is a lethargic ballplayer, but unfortunately that seems to be the hallmark of this team.
Wells doesn’t agree with Clemens not traveling
[quote]
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2863411
I don’t care What Wells has to say. He’s still bitter when Yankees traded him to Bluejays for Clemens. He’s Jealous of Clemens success. He’s traitor. Wells is the same person who couldn’t pitch in 2003 WS because He’s back are hurting him . He turn his back to his teammates . He’s diabetic and overweight slob.
Peter
Great point about veterans “playing to their means”. But, that is why Mientkiewicz has to go. If you are willing to use his career #’s, Doug is below average OPS wise for all players. If you look at the last three plus years, he is way below average. I love your blog, but please stop defending Doug. If he could play middle infield it would be a different argument, but he is not a good value at first, no matter how many defensive plays he makes.
hmmm,
The point of arguing the call isn’t to get it overturned. It’s to put it in the mind of the umpire that he’s done you wrong with the hope of influencing future calls. It also fires up your team and let’s them know that you care about what’s happening on the field, and they should too.
If Donnie’s not going to argue that call then why have him in the dugout at all? Let Joe manage by text messages.
Mike, baseball is already a slow game, averaging, what 3hours per game? Imagine instant replay, the game will be at least 3hours and 30minutes long. That’s rediculous. Instant replay will likely be added in the future, but it will only be used once or twice in a game, at most. And that’s how it should be used. But given, that play would have been looked over.
A good idea for instant replays is to allow it only in or past the 7th inning, and have a manager only be able to use it once during the 7th- 8th innings. That’s probably how they’d do it anyway.
Tough loss, but we’ll come back tommorow and get them.
“Wells is the same person who couldn’t pitch in 2003 WS because He’s back are hurting him”
Jt:
I used to be a really big (no pun intended) fan of Wells until that day. I truly believe that he cost us the 2003 WS. If wells or Giambi were even 50% healthy we should have won.
i’m currently in australia, they love their cricket here and they’ve got something called the 3rd Umpire (they’ve only got two on the field in the first place). he’s a guy who sits up in a booth and looks at the replay for contested calls. granted there are a lot more little things for the umps in cricket to pick up, but yeah- anyway the yankees will catch a break somewhere down the line. the moral of the story is don’t strand 10 baserunners.
i thought it was sad and uncharacteristic during the offseason when Mo was doing all that crummy posturing for a contract, saying he’d “love� to retire a yankee but “who knows?�. it’s even sadder and more uncharacteristic now that he’s getting creamed every other outing. i don’t relish saying this at all, because this is Mo, and it ain’t like lee smith’s gonna pop up in the owner’s box anytime soon.
the only guy who is a bigger idiot then Clemens is Wells. Yea he is a team guy. That is why he did not reveal the back injury to the Yanks in advance of the game in the WS.
David Wells is a jackass..
Yes Peter, A-Rod won’t hit 700 home runs and drive in 2433. Minky won’t hit .125 with 5 extra base hits. A-Rod will hit 50 home runs and drive in 130. Minky will hit .245 with 20 extra base hits.
There is a regression to the mean, but the mean is the problem with Mientkiewicz. The mean is about BUC level at a premium offensive position. That said, he has helped the team recently and deserves credit.
BTW….I second whoever asked for a mailbag Q&A with Cashman. I think that would be excellent. Of course Johnny Damon would be too sexy.
^^^ what ?
No, Buddy, I’m not gonna lighten up. If you actually knew someone who was blind and deaf that probably wouldn’t be all that funny. I never told you what to think about it so don’t tell me how to feel. My opinion is that it’s offensive. It’s as simple as that.
Mike, who the hell should be offended by that? Is it offensive to imply that Hellen Keller would have made a poor umpire? I’m sick of this PC nonsense.
Mike Edelman-
how ’bout this one: that call was so bad, even Ray Charles winced, and he’s dead!
Mike-
Who says I don’t know someone who is blind or deaf. Life is too short to get upset about something like that. You should know that comment about Helen Keller wasn’t meant to be hurtful after reading all of Peter’s previous posts.
Mike: I am sorry if you were offended, that wasn’t the intent. But I’m guessing blind people realize they are blind. I wasn’t making fun of them.
All this Bobby Abreu ripping reminds me of spring training when I did a feature on him and Larry Bowa said he hoped than fans in New York wouldn’t get on him for perceived lack of effort.
Bowa is as old-school as it gets and he doesn’t think Abreu is a dog. Looking at a called third strike is not being a dog. It’s not expecting a certain pitch or zoning a certain pitch. I do think Abreu isn’t much of an outfielder. But you trade that for his OBP.
As for Mientkiewicz, I’m just tired of people on this blog burying the guy after two weeks. No, he’s not Lou Gehrig. But he’s not some bum, either. He has a career .761 OPS, which isn’t great for a first baseman but it’s not bad for a No. 9 hitter in a lineup where the SS, 2B and C are all vastly over the average at those positions.
According to the list I’m keeping on the back page of my scorebook, he has so far saved the Yankees from 9 thrrowing errors on plays I don’t believe Giambi would have made. As for plays he has made in the field, it’s hard to keep an objective list but I can recall four off the top of my head Giambi would have had no shot on.
What’s that worth? Hard to say. But it’s worth something.
Two points: You tell me the list of players the Yankees could have had. And don’t give me pretend trades. And explain why you’re concerned with an offense that is on pace to score 950 runs.
I’ll say again: 950 runs.
If I were a fan of a team on pace to score 950 runs, I would concern myself with other matters than the No. 9 hitter. If the Yankees can’t come up with a pitching staff to make 950 runs stand up, Doug Mientkiewicz ain’t your problem.
peter,
the way you just defended the yanks sad shortcomings makes me think you are smart and that there is a reason why you have this job… but everytime i see a post on arod by you I remember why you truly have this job…
it is because you just another cult member in a group of bash arod just because. it is nice to see that no matter what, you as a veteran writer will always write and do your job to your true potential.
Actually it was more of a good hit than a bad pitch. Mo will be fine.
Peter, I don’t like PC nonsense either. If you feel as if blind people are a source of humor than by all means go ahead and say it. That doesn’t mean you aren’t gonna get called out on it though. I would prefer that people come right out and say if a differently abled person, sex or minority is a source of humor for them. That way it makes it painfully obvious how much further we have to go in this country rather than candy coating it.
And Buddy, I know it wasn’t meant to be hurtful. Part of what I found sad about it is that it was just said with no regards to the way it was portraying differently abled people. I’m sure Peter didn’t mean to hurt anyone but that doesn’t matter if he did.
Omg: I have no idea what you just wrote. when exactly did I “bash” A-Rod? Because I mentioned a factual stat in conjunction with pointing out that Mientkiewicz isn’t going to hit .122 all season?
Listen, I understand that some people out there have weird man-crushes on A-Rod. That’s fine. Your fantasy life is none of my business. But try and understand that mentioning a statistic isn’t “bashing” a player. It’s a way to compare players.
I think Alex is a very good baseball player, probably the best all-around player in the game. But he wasn’t going to hit .400 with 122 homers. I’ll write this slowly so you understand … I … was … pointing … out … that … Mientkiewicz … isn’t … a … total … stiff.
Peter,
how do you plan to get your Red Bull past Checkpoint Charlie, tomorrow?
I recommend using a “Beer Helmet.” Security will be too bag focused to notice your head gear.
i think mientkiewicz is a fun guy and while he’s only getting hits one in five times at the plate, as i recall the few runs he’s batted in have come in key situations that have put us up or tied the game. no one seems to remember these because those leads are getting blown more consistently than the guy is hitting.
i would like to see some more of josh phelps. the guy seems to be a solid hitter and good enough 1st baseman. hell i’d even take him as a backup catcher to get him into the lineup, esp. considering that whenever will nieves can’t buy a hit.
dear peter,
thanks for writing slowly, l i k e – o m g, I – t o t a l l y – c o u l d – n o t – g e t – w h a t – y o u – w e r e – t r y i n g – t o – s a y. Y o u – a r e -s o o o o-r i g h t.
Peter- I’m not a guy (so I wouldn’t call it a MANcrush) and I do think A-Rod is Hot but that’s beside the point…I also think Jeter is easy on the eyes
. It just seems like the media is still ready to pounce on Alex the min he makes a mistake or doesn’t hit a homerun. During one at bat last night all ESPN all they couldn talk about was the fact that Alex hadn’t hit a homerun in 43 at bats. Well no one really thought he was going to hit 131 homeruns in a seasn Right?….Right? So why is everyone making such a big deal that he has cooled off a little bit, it was expected. At least was by me. He’s still leading the League in RBI’s and HRs in the top ten in avg and I believe Runs.
I agree with you on the Mientkiewicz theory, offense for the most part isnt a problem for the Yankees, they aren’t going to score 11+ runs every came but for the most part they will give you enough to win.
Pavano just needs to go away, he can’t understand why the Yankees want a second opinion? Duh! they are tired of handing out $$$ for him to sit on his butt and do nothing!!
One comment that has nothing to do with the in game Mattingly on his post game press conference looked like a deer in the headlights with all those microphones in his face,If/when he gets the job here he will have to learn to deal with that but I am sure he will learn to he will certainly have to
Silliest post of the day:
Mike Edelman
May 8th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Peter, I don’t like PC nonsense either.
OK… than why are you being PC? For the life of me, I don’t understand how the statement is offensive.
I come to board’s like this to get away from the world’s ills… and all the politically correct crap that’s bled into our society. I’m sick of good people having to walk on egg shells when they write or speak about anything. Be offended if you want, but Helen Keller was blind and probably would have gotten the call wrong. So what?
I’ll shut up now, and hope this just goes back to being sports blog again.
yeah, i’m not sure where Pete was bshing A-Rod on this post…
and man do people freak out every time the Yanks lose on this board.
this was an unlucky, unfortunate loss. but aside from 1-2 guys, the team played well. Abreu should have tacked on another run with 1st and 3rd, 1 out. Mo gave up a dinger on a 95 MPH fastball that missed its spot.
of course no one is freaking out b/c Jeter grounded into a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 9th. or when he grounded out with the bases loaded as the tying run on friday night….
HOW CAN UMPIRES MAKE THOSE MISTAKES AND THEN HAVE AN “OH WELL”, ATTITUDE? TWO STRIKES FOR THAT UMPIRE (or any), AND THEN HE SHOULD BE OUT! I DON’T THINK THAT IS DOING YOUR JOB. CALLS LIKE THAT SHOULD BE SHOWN ON THE BIG SCREEN ON THE STADIUM, AND LET EVERYONE SEE.
CANO GOT HIM AND THE PLAYER KNEW HE WAS OUT. NO, THEY DID NOT WIN IN THE 9TH INNING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TIDE THEN; PERHAPS WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WIN THE GAME. NOT FAIR!!!
WHAT IF JOE WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE????
This was an unfortunate loss, but certainly not one that should provoke any despair. The bad umpiring call clearly cost them the game. That happens. What makes it remarkable in this case is just how gawdawful a call it was.
Meanwhile, I can’t get over how everyone in RSN seems to think they’ve already won this thing. I guess they don’t have particularly long memories.
It’s clear that Rivera needs to pitch more. He missed his spot last night by a foot, leaving the FB over the middle of the plate when Jorge wanted it inside. He’s basically been pitching once a week. Once he starts getting regular work, even if they need to force him in non save situations, he’ll be fine.
Pete wasnt bashing Arod, he was just stating that players will eventually revert back to their career averages as you get a bigger sample size. And people don’t jump on Jeter when he makes a key out because we’ve seen him come through just as many times as he’s failed.
not happy:
umps can make make those mistakes because there are no do overs in baseball. he said he missed the call, he did. he knows it you know it everyone knows it. nope it isn’t doing your job. its over, it sucks, but he has to go out again, put it out of his mind, learn from it, and go out again. just like mo, has to put the dinger out of his mind. its over, done, finished, capoot. no one has ever or will ever lose a game on one play. there were nine innings to put the other guys to bed. they failed, they blew it, put it out of their minds and go out and play. that missed call cannot even be counted as the deciding play. the loss is the cumulation of missed opportunities by each and every player in the game. sheeesh could be why they play so many games, one would think.
The call was the worst I’ve ever seen. That said, we had 10 hits and only scored 2 runs.
Beltre’s HR was an impressive piece of hitting. While Rivera missed his spot on that pitch, he didn’t throw a meatball.
If A-Rod can bat 8th, why can’t Abreu bat 6th or 7th? This is getting a little silly now. Someone needs to get in Torre’s ear. Bring back Zimmer.
Peter Abraham: You have to go out there and protest that call. All you have to do is ask him to ask for help. The runner was out by 2 feet. The ump was in a blocked spot, so what a manager needs to do is go out there and ask him if he saw the hand touch the base. If he didn’t you can ask for help, the home plate umpire was in a better position to call that play than the man that is supposed to be doing. There was also an umpire watching the play from the other side of the diamond.
With a close game like that, Mattingly should have argued that, and argued that till he got ejected. You don’t have to call the umpire an idiot or Crash Davis No-no words you just tell him to ask for help. That he can do. Maybe it doesn’t get changed, but at least you tried.
There isn’t instant replay but there are plenty of sets of eyes.
Deep, I’m not being PC, I’m just being real. That offended me. I didn’t ask for any apologies or anything, I just made an honest statement. I don’t understand why that should be an issue. It’s not like I’m telling others to be offended by it so how does anyone else come off telling me not to be.
I agree with Ed. A call that bad, you have to argue. Mattingly argues it, gets in the umps face, gets thrown out, maybe the team gets fired up enough to show some life when they come up to bat.
IF YOU NOTICED WHEN THEY SHOW POSADA THROW THE BALL TO CANO, AND THE UMPIRE MAKES THE CALL, THEY SHOW POSADA AGAIN… NOTICE THE FAN BEHIND POSADA (A MAN), HE EVEN NOTICED, WHATCH HIS REACTION. IF HE CAN SEE THE CALL FROM BEHIND POSADA, COME ON!
MAYBE CANO DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY AT THE MOMENT, HE DOESN’T SPEAK ENGLISH.
what was great was the guy on espn… he said oh look theyre trying to sell it then after as a way to make up for being as dumb as davis he mentioned that play after every pitch saying how wrong it was. i just found that amusing
What a bunch of whiners. Imagine being a D-Ray fan. I LIKED the call. I can’t think of many bad calls against the Yanks but can think of quite a few that have helped them.
Totally agree with Scott. You have to show some passion – get the players fired up. The play would probably would not have been overturned, but at least act like you give a crap.
From this game, would have serious reservations annointing Mattingly manager as much as I liked him as a player.
Also, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights in the after-game press conference. I actually felt bad for him.