When asked about the play, Howard was evasive. "Did I catch it?" he asked. "Well, they called him...

When asked about the play, Howard was evasive. "Did I catch it?" he asked. "Well, they called him out."

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi argued vehemently and told his players not to take the field while the umpires conferred between innings, but none of the umpires saw the play differently, so the ruling stood.

NYTimes
The replays I saw made it look like a trap, though the umps argue that it was a catch on their replays.

21 days ago jscape2000 14 comments 0 recs |

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If Howard was sure he caught it at the time...

…then why would he have thrown it to second base? He knew it was a trap, and is just being evasive now.

by NumberSeven on Oct 30, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

When it first happened I knew he didn’t catch it. The constant replies confirm it and Howard was even winking when asked. Honestly, thank goodness we won that game, otherwise…

by jigglytuffy on Oct 30, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

*replays

by jigglytuffy on Oct 30, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In-stant Re-Play! clap clap clapclapclap

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Oct 30, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand why people are upset, but come on! At full speed, no one could tell that they ball hit the ground. The umpires have made some bad calls, but the always do. The reason this season seems particularly egregious is because of the slow motion cameras that are being utilized – even the closest plays appear aggravatingly obvious. In the end, the balance was restored when Utley was called out at first (despite being safe).

The only thing the umpires could have done was examine the ball (which they did NOT do) for dirt. Analyzing Howard’s throw to first is at best speculation.

by murp0837 on Oct 30, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh, i agree

that it was a tough call to make. if only there was some kind of way to review tough plays to get them right…

by Travis G on Oct 30, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I do blame the umpires, based on years of playing a little baseball and (more importantly, ‘cuz I ain’t that good) conversations with real players and umpires. Ryan Howard told the umpire with his actions that he didn’t catch the ball. Many times a player will try to “sell” the umpire on a catch. There are almost no situations where a player would try to sell the umpire on a NON-catch – and that wasn’t one of them. If an umpire isn’t absolutely certain on an eyelash play, the totality of the circumstances will get them where they need to be.

But ultimately, meh. The DP on Utley didn’t quite restore the balance (I would trade the two calls in a heartbeat – bases loaded one out against their bullpen with Tex, A-Rod and Matsui coming up? Yeah, I’d take that in exchange for whatever Howard did with two outs and runners on first and third. I think the Yanks come out even or ahead 9 times out of 10 on that deal. But the Yankees won, so this is all conversation to get us through until tomorrow night :-)

by d_c_guy on Oct 30, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Selig is still against instant replay

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4606976

Selig should be setting pins in a bowling alley, not running Major League Baseball.

by long time listener on Oct 30, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I woulnd't be holding my breath for him to say he didn't catch it

But, his body language last night definitely illustrates that he knows he didn’t.

The umpire can’t always give the benefit of the doubt to the fielder so quickly on trapped balls, especially when Posada might have been able to get back had it been an obvious catch.

As it is though, the blown calls do seem to balance out in the end…….

I told you we would beat Georgia!! Now, as for those 9 wins in '09......
I got bored and made a blog!! SCS

by VolBrian on Oct 30, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs