Tuesday Afternoon Tidbits

by Jeff Sackmann on May 8, 2007 1:48 PM CDT in News Comment 11 comments

While you wait for the Brewers to win game #23, here's some reading to get you through the rest of the day:

The always-funny Yard Work checks in with another installment from Bob Uecker.
WSB Chris wonders if we should allow managers to challenge calls. I'm hesitant to introduce something like that that would slow down the game, especially when there might not reliably be a good camera angle on it for instant replay (or something like it), but it's symptomatic of a larger problem: some umps just aren't very good. What's worse are all the umps who are not very good and really cocky, like the ones with ridiculously large, small, or just-plain-wrong strike zones. I don't know that there's a good solution to this, other than putting MLB umps on a shorter leash.
Here are JM Barten's BTB Awards, week five. Even if you don't have time to read the whole thing, scroll down to find Jeff Weaver's game log. It's a riot.
Chad Cordero is going on the bereavement list for a few days, which--I can't believe this is possible--makes the Nats even worse. Sheesh.
Ken Rosenthal reports that Kenny Williams says that "the AL Central won't be decided until the second half -- and that it will be decided by pitching." Well, that's a bold claim. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how much sometimes above-average pitching you have, it's tough to win ballgames with a mediocre club in the most stacked division in baseball. Sorry, Kenny.

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St. Louis columnist from today - "The Brewers are Playing the way the Cards used to"

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/7D8E5E50B7DA88D2862572D50055 BDC7?OpenDocument

by grant76 on May 8, 2007 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Replay

I hate replay, in all it's forms. For me, it's made pro football mostly unwatchable, and the college game is headed in the same direction.

Some people think the most important thing is that every call be right. I don't. I think the most important thing is that I get to watch an entertaining game, and replay sucks the life out of every game that has introduced it.

Now...strike zone? Get the ump out of there, and let K zone handle it. The calls are consistent, and it doesn't interfere with the flow of the game.

by Marty McSuperFly on May 8, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that's a good point

it really sucks every time a call is wrong, and especially when it means your team loses...but for the most part, calls are right, and every team gets f'd a time or two during the season. c'est la vie.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 8, 2007 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point is just one or two challenges a game

so when you have a play like last night when the guy was out by a country mile you could challenge the call. I do not think one challenge a game would lengthen the game all that much.

If that had been the Brewers getting screwed instead of the Evil Empire last night we would all be howling and raging that the ump blew the call.

I do not want every play to be perfect but when there is a just terrible call like last night there should be a recourse.

by WSB Chris on May 8, 2007 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are mistaken, sir

If that had been the Brewers getting screwed instead of the Evil Empire last night we would all be howling and raging that the ump blew the call.

I'm an OU fan, and not only did I watch one of their games get destroyed via multiple halts for instant replay, THEY STILL GOT THE PLAYS WRONG. Instant replay doesn't solve anything, it only gives another set of people the opportunity to screw up.

by Marty McSuperFly on May 8, 2007 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as an overly biased OU fan

you should recognize that you guys got screwed, but 98% of the time, the officials get the Replay right. This has been the case in the NFL where after over many years of replay (at least 6 right?) the NFL has only appologized for 3 calls. Thats it. They have gotten it down to the science it needs to be.

Now, if we are going to do Replay in Baseball, which I hope we don't, I would want it for plays in the field only. Balls and strikes are too subjective to the Ump's zone that day to be challengable.

That's not the Chirizo, It's Enrico Polazzo!

by hyattff2003 on May 8, 2007 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The irritating part

How many times do I have to hear the phrase, "Indisputable video evidence"? NFL games frequently get bogged down for 5 minutes on a call where the ref can't tell, and so it doesn't get overturned. All the momentum and energy has been destroyed, and for nothing. That's destroying the game, as far as I'm concerned.

by Marty McSuperFly on May 8, 2007 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No more than

Astroturf destroyed the game in the 70s. You do realize that the real reason for replay in the NFL is for more commercial breaks so they can sell more ad space. Just the conspiracy theorist coming out of me.

There are just too many blown calls that deem replay necessary in the NFL. If it wasn't necessary, they wouldn't have it. And just because announcers have no variety doesn't mean you should hate an improvement to the game. It's not like tv timeouts don't disrupt momentum as it is. And the boost from winning the challenge is as good of a momentum swinger as any.

Just keep it away from Baseball

That's not the Chirizo, It's Enrico Polazzo!

by hyattff2003 on May 8, 2007 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Intstant replay sucks

in every sport its used. All it does is prove that no matter how many challenge flags, instant replays from the booth, last 2:00 min reviews happen, there is always ONE more play the ump/ref missed. Look, embrace the humanity of sports and enjoy it.

by jax and rajah on May 8, 2007 4:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was shocked

to hear Orel Hersheiser this evening say that he was in favor in IR. I think it's a terrible idea, I would hate to miss out on Joe Mikulik moments.

I have seen the coming of the Lord. Savior, thy name is Gallardo.

by ESK on May 8, 2007 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I like Replay in Baseball...

but i am a big fan of it in Football. The thing that really confuses me and pisses me off tho about football challenges; is that some plays aren't challengeable. that doesn't make sense to me. i think you should be able to use your challenges to challenge anything you want. if we admit that an official might make a mistake or miss something; there should be an opportunity on every play to fix it.

by engbjm06 on May 8, 2007 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	80	82	.493	11	Won 3
Cincinnati Red Reporter	78	84	.481	13	Won 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	88	.456	17	Lost 3
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	62	99	.385	28.5	Lost 2