From the NY Times wrap on the Yankee's July 18 game [registration requred; go to www.bugmenot.com if you need a login and password]:
I guess he wasn't watching the previous night's game when the 1B umpire blew an obvious out call at first base and handed a win to the Yankees. That didn't change the dyanamic of an inning; it directly changed the outcome of the game, virtually gifting the Yankees a run when they were down by one run in the bottom of the 9th inning. Unless you're name is Don Denkinger, it doesn't get much more brutal than that. Or what about a call that grants a home run when some kid named Jeffrey Maier interferes with a ball in play?
I'm not complaining about the call - umpires blow it every now and then, and that's just part of the game. But A-Rod's remark is silly coming on the heels of the blown call the night before. Even if the call goes in your favor, as a player you've still got to realize how bad the call was while you thank your lucky stars it was in your favor.
When he makes statements such as as this, it further reinforces among fans the image that he's absorbed in himself and oblivious to others.
How intense was Seattle’s 3-2 victory over the Yankees yesterday at Yankee Stadium? Consider this scene, in the bottom of the seventh inning in the afternoon sunshine before 54,121 fans. The Yankees had just tied the score, 2-2.
At third base, a group of Yankees, including Manager Joe Torre, argued with the umpire Andy Fletcher. At the same time, at home plate, a group of Mariners, including Manager Mike Hargrove, argued with the umpire Mike Reilly.
The Yankees contended that a timeout should not have been called and that Andy Phillips should have been allowed to advance to third base on the throw home after doubling to score Alex Rodriguez with the tying run. The Mariners insisted that Rodriguez was out at home.
“That was the most ridiculous call I’ve ever seen,” Rodriguez said, referring to the timeout that sent Phillips back to second and changed the dynamic of the inning. “It was awful. Brutal. Terrible call.”
At third base, a group of Yankees, including Manager Joe Torre, argued with the umpire Andy Fletcher. At the same time, at home plate, a group of Mariners, including Manager Mike Hargrove, argued with the umpire Mike Reilly.
The Yankees contended that a timeout should not have been called and that Andy Phillips should have been allowed to advance to third base on the throw home after doubling to score Alex Rodriguez with the tying run. The Mariners insisted that Rodriguez was out at home.
“That was the most ridiculous call I’ve ever seen,” Rodriguez said, referring to the timeout that sent Phillips back to second and changed the dynamic of the inning. “It was awful. Brutal. Terrible call.”
I'm not complaining about the call - umpires blow it every now and then, and that's just part of the game. But A-Rod's remark is silly coming on the heels of the blown call the night before. Even if the call goes in your favor, as a player you've still got to realize how bad the call was while you thank your lucky stars it was in your favor.
When he makes statements such as as this, it further reinforces among fans the image that he's absorbed in himself and oblivious to others.
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