S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 E-2 By Ryne Sandberg, Yahoo! Sports October 13, 2005 Many people are pointing fingers at home plate umpire Doug Eddings for making a bad call on A.J. Pierzynski's swinging third strike. The call will forever be debated – Did Eddings' closed fist mean strike three (that was dropped) or did it mean a strikeout? Either way, with 40,000 Sox fans screaming, Josh Paul can't take anything for granted. The Los Angeles Angels catcher should have checked with Eddings and made sure what the call was. Instead of trying to "sell" the inning-ending strikeout by rolling the ball back to the mound, Paul should have taken the extra second to either tag out Pierzynski or make the throw to first base. It's impossible for any home plate umpire to make a call on a low pitch like that. He'll wait to see what develops afterward – whether the catcher asks him if he caught the ball, or tags the batter out, or steps out and throws to first. There's usually communication between the catcher and umpire. In this case, none of the above was done by Paul, who assumed Pierzynski had struck out. I learned as a rookie not to be an umpire while I was playing. More often than not, if I tossed my bat to the dugout on a pitch that I thought was ball four, I would hear the umpire call a strike before I could leave the batter's box. Also, while covering second base on steal attempts, we are told to "sell" the out by trying to convince the ump that we made the tag. We pop up and act like we're getting ready to throw the ball around the horn, or if there are two outs, we start running toward the dugout. However, in any of those cases, I would never just roll the ball back to the pitcher's mound. I would keep the ball in my glove and show that I got the out. You can blame Eddings for his miscommunication, but it is also part of Paul's responsibility to understand what call is being made. He can't take a chance in that situation. Even if it was a blown call by the umpire, Paul showed poor basic fundamentals. This controversy will be talked about until Game 3 begins Friday. Then, all will be forgotten – at least from the players' perspective. The Angels understand that human error is part of the game. That's one of the things that makes baseball so perfect. The Angels are professionals and led by one of baseball's best managers, Mike Scioscia, who handled Wednesday night's controversy brilliantly. He was very frustrated, but he understood that any derogatory comments toward the umpires would do nothing but cause more controversy. He realized that his team could've done more to win that game. What do Cubs fans have to say about the call now when their very own idol's opinion in favor of the ump? Even until now, I find it very funny and ironic when the people who have expressed the most fury regarding the call came from the Cubs message boards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLAK Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 ... human error is part of the game. That's one of the things that makes baseball so perfect. Thats a great line from Sandberg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepyWhiteSox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Wow. My respect grew for him with that piece. Excellent article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 It has been refreshing to read and hear that this is basically the opinion of most of the reitred baseball players who are now analysts. It seems like the over the top opinions have been coming from people who need to fill time on their shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanne Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Wow is right. Another good perspective. Ya know...I'm so f***in sick of reading some of these scribes as calling it wrong, a gift...or whatever. Bottom line....Paul f***ed up and could have avoided this whole thing by using his f***in head. God I pray for the Sox to just kick the ever-livin s*** outta these guys tomorrow and shut these assholes up. New found respect for Rhino! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkdog Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 (edited) Anyone who wants to really understand what happened with "The Call" last night should read this piece. The mistake was not Edding's - he made a judgement call - that is what umpires do. His mechanics may have sucked and created more confusion, but he believed the ball hit the ground. The mistake belongs to Paul. He knows that on a borderline pitch in the dirt like that - you tag the runner. Whether you picked it clean or not. He's probably known it since he put on shin guards. He had every opportunity to tag AJ, or throw down to Erstad if he wanted to be sure of the out. It's just easier to blame Edding for making a bad call. Nice job Ryno. Edited October 14, 2005 by Clarkdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I learned as a rookie not to be an umpire while I was playing. Kids are taught this from the time they begin playing baseball. Josh Paul screwed the pooch on that play. No doubt about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Anyone who agrees with Sox fans is an instant fan favorite, anyone whose opinion disagrees is an idiot. It is so easy to sucker in Sox fans. We go nuts as soon as anyone says something nice about the Sox and write 50 post threads if it's negative. My opinion of Sandburg hasn't changed by his obvious bandwagon jumping. Just another loser pandering to Sox fans. The only reason he said this was to jump on the Sox popularity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 06:56 AM) Anyone who agrees with Sox fans is an instant fan favorite, anyone whose opinion disagrees is an idiot. It is so easy to sucker in Sox fans. We go nuts as soon as anyone says something nice about the Sox and write 50 post threads if it's negative. My opinion of Sandburg hasn't changed by his obvious bandwagon jumping. Just another loser pandering to Sox fans. The only reason he said this was to jump on the Sox popularity. That doesn't sound like you, Texsox. Here's my opinion of Sandburg. Damn good ballplayer that is correctly enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He handled himself with class and dignity through good times and bad. Loser? Not in my eyes. He may not have won a ring, but the guy was no loser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 He's just a bandwagon jumper. He wasn't a fan before, now all of a sudden he's writing nice things about the Sox? You are right, the loser tag was wrong. Although didn't he lose his wife to Mark Grace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 07:07 AM) He's just a bandwagon jumper. He wasn't a fan before, now all of a sudden he's writing nice things about the Sox? You are right, the loser tag was wrong. Although didn't he lose his wife to Mark Grace? Texsox, I disagree with you COMPLETELY. So what you're implying is if a non-Sox fan says something positive about the Sox, then he or she is a bandwagon jumper! That is such a fallacy! How do you know Ryno's mind? How do you know that he didn't think that was a BAD call at all? So if he sticks up to something he believes is right, and it just happens that that something is to the advantage of the Sox, you call him a "bandwagon jumper." I am totally surprised that this is coming from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(S720 @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 07:46 AM) Texsox, I disagree with you COMPLETELY. So what you're implying is if a non-Sox fan says something positive about the Sox, then he or she is a bandwagon jumper! That is such a fallacy! How do you know Ryno's mind? How do you know that he didn't think that was a BAD call at all? So if he sticks up to something he believes is right, and it just happens that that something is to the advantage of the Sox, you call him a "bandwagon jumper." I am totally surprised that this is coming from you. I have come to agree with the majority of posters. Any media person who doesn't pick the Sox and love all Sox things is an idiot just like moronatti. Anyone who just now starts to give the Sox some respect is a bandwagon jumper. ESPN only loves the Red Sox and Yankees. The Cubune sucks. BBTN are all idiots, unless picking the Sox. Sports Center are all idiots, unless picking the Sox. etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Actually, Tex, Ryno picked the Sox for the Central since the beginning of the season, then he picked them against BOS. He's been money on them all year. Kind of a shock, isn't it? And the trifecta is he picked us in the ALCS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(kapkomet @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 07:54 AM) Actually, Tex, Ryno picked the Sox for the Central since the beginning of the season, then he picked them against BOS. He's been money on them all year. Kind of a shock, isn't it? And the trifecta is he picked us in the ALCS. Wow, he jumped on the bandwagon early I'm kidding with the above posts. I'm just noticing how quickly we divide the idiots, the bandwagon jumpers, and the brilliant sports writers and commentators. There are no other categories and as soon as there is a positive article somewhere, like a bunch of lemmings, we rush over and take a look. People have opinions, there are intelligent opinions that picked the Angels. That thought the call was wrong, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 07:58 AM) Wow, he jumped on the bandwagon early I'm kidding with the above posts. I'm just noticing how quickly we divide the idiots, the bandwagon jumpers, and the brilliant sports writers and commentators. There are no other categories and as soon as there is a positive article somewhere, like a bunch of lemmings, we rush over and take a look. People have opinions, there are intelligent opinions that picked the Angels. That thought the call was wrong, etc. You know the only way we can make the call "RIGHT" is to win three straight in Anaheim. Here is to the first one tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(S720 @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 01:30 PM) You know the only way we can make the call "RIGHT" is to win three straight in Anaheim. Here is to the first one tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(kapkomet @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 08:41 AM) Do allow me to PRAY with you. :pray :pray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwritecode Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 06:53 AM) The Cubune sucks. BBTN are all idiots, unless picking the Sox. Sports Center are all idiots, unless picking the Sox. etc. etc. Actually, I think most Sox fans hate those three things no matter who they pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(S720 @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 08:43 AM) Do allow me to PRAY with you. :pray :pray Let me pray as well :pray My coworker and I were talking about the Sox before our weekly RoHS meeting we both were talking about how nerve racking the games are to watch because of the potential involved with them. We both are praying that we get to see them in the big show this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 11:51 AM) Let me pray as well :pray My coworker and I were talking about the Sox before our weekly RoHS meeting we both were talking about how nerve racking the games are to watch because of the potential involved with them. We both are praying that we get to see them in the big show this year. ALL TOGETHER NOW: Amazing grace, how sweet the Sox... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 07:58 AM) Wow, he jumped on the bandwagon early I'm kidding with the above posts. I'm just noticing how quickly we divide the idiots, the bandwagon jumpers, and the brilliant sports writers and commentators. There are no other categories and as soon as there is a positive article somewhere, like a bunch of lemmings, we rush over and take a look. People have opinions, there are intelligent opinions that picked the Angels. That thought the call was wrong, etc. Ah yes, Texsox the media relations specialist. So when is Hug a Columnist Day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatScott82 Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 My respect grew for Rhino when he picked us to win the wildcard. Nobody else picked us to go anywhere but him. And this article only raises my level of respect for him. White Sox Nation Congrats Rhino for making it to the hall of fame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 12:47 PM) Ah yes, Texsox the media relations specialist. So when is Hug a Columnist Day? We only hug those columnists that pick the Sox every year since 1960. All the others are either bandwagon jumpers for finally picking us, or idiots for picking anyone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 14, 2005 -> 12:59 PM) We only hug those columnists that pick the Sox every year since 1960. All the others are either bandwagon jumpers for finally picking us, or idiots for picking anyone else. But Texsox, in 1960 Sandberg was not even 1 year old yet! He was borned on September 18, 1959. Can we open our precious welcome door a little bit to sneek Ryno in? And remember, he joined Yahoo as a columnist very recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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