An appeal play out call in St. Louis by 1B Umpire David Rackley effectively transformed a zero out, ninth inning rally attempt by the New York Mets into an impending save opportunity for the Cardinals and closer Jason Motte. 
With none out and none on, Mets batter Andres Torres hit a 3-2 cutter from Motte into right field for an apparent double. As subsequent batter Ronny Cedeno stepped in with none out and the game-tying runner on second base, Motte stepped off the pitcher's plate and threw to first baseman Matt Carpenter, who stepped on first base as Rackley ruled Torres out subsequent to Rule 7.10 (Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when), explaining to Mets Manager Terry Collins that Torres had missed first base and was liable to be put out pursuant to 7.10(b) ("He fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged"). Though replays from one angle (1st base camera well) suggest Torres' left foot may have touched first base, another angle (center field) is ultimately inconclusive, though both angles show Rackley moving to observe the touch/no-touch at first base. At the time of the call, the Cardinals were leading, 5-4. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.
With none out and none on, Mets batter Andres Torres hit a 3-2 cutter from Motte into right field for an apparent double. As subsequent batter Ronny Cedeno stepped in with none out and the game-tying runner on second base, Motte stepped off the pitcher's plate and threw to first baseman Matt Carpenter, who stepped on first base as Rackley ruled Torres out subsequent to Rule 7.10 (Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when), explaining to Mets Manager Terry Collins that Torres had missed first base and was liable to be put out pursuant to 7.10(b) ("He fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged"). Though replays from one angle (1st base camera well) suggest Torres' left foot may have touched first base, another angle (center field) is ultimately inconclusive, though both angles show Rackley moving to observe the touch/no-touch at first base. At the time of the call, the Cardinals were leading, 5-4. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.
Be thankful this wasn't a postseason game, or we would never hear the end of this.
ReplyDeleteBe thankful the Mets weren't in contention, or there would have been at least 1 ejection
ReplyDeleteAppeals are always 100% sure; otherwise it's a touch. Rackley is right there, and it take slow mo that is at best inconclsive to see something Rackley saw one time in real time. No umpire is gonna want this shit storm on something he wasnt sure about.
ReplyDelete"Appeals are always 100% sure; otherwise it's a touch. Rackley is right there, and it take slow mo that is at best inconclsive to see something Rackley saw one time in real time. No umpire is gonna want this shit storm on something he wasnt sure about. "
ReplyDeleteThis one I agree is tough for us to tell (though it really does look like he touches the base with what we're given to see - again no one is as close as the 1B umpire). That being said, I will cite just ONE example to disprove your theory.
COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU, "I Feel for Appeals", starring:
Jerry Meals
Don Mattingly
Matt Treanor
And ONE MAJORLY-BOTCHED APPEAL CALL
I was watching the game when the play happened, I've seen all the replays that are available, and I haven't seen anything yet that convinces me that Torres missed the base. Rackley obviously had a different angle, and called what he said he saw, but from everything I've seen, I still think he got the call wrong.
ReplyDeleteHe's a solid young umpire from what I've seen of him, and it takes guts to make a call like that in that spot, and then stand by it after the game. So I'll give him that. But my opinion is he was wrong, and that Torres hit the bag with his left heel as he was heading to second.
Dan you sure seem to think you would make a better umpire. When at best all you will ever be is a couch umpire and even at that you still would suck. So why dont you stop bashing on umpires.
DeleteToo close to call! I can't say Rackley got it wrong, but I can't say it's right either. For that reason, I know we'll have to go with the call on the field, but I still would be more comfortable having Rackley "safe" the call.
ReplyDeleteBallsy call but his positioning was perfect and he handled the discussion very well. Quite impressive from AAA/MLB umpire - nice job David!
ReplyDeleteBtw, from his view overtop looking down, he must have seen a little bit of daylight between the inside of the runner's foot and the inside of the base. Considering the timing and impact of this appeal play, I bet he thought long and hard before calling the runner out. And to top it off, he had a very calm conversation with a pissed off Manager and diffused the situation without having to eject anyone. Good for you David for sticking to what you saw, calling it and standing behind it!
After the play the umpire walked over look at the base like he wasn't sure (he was looking for some dirt or something on the base)
ReplyDeleteso he wasn't sure, just another stupid Umpire
making another bad call!, It's time for the Replay already!
You're a plumber....keep the replay in the LLWS where it and you belong.
DeleteAnd if there were replay there is not a chance this call gets overturned.
ReplyDelete"Considering the timing and impact of this appeal play, I bet he thought long and hard before calling the runner out. "
ReplyDeleteHis reaction was like a kid getting a new bike for his birthday. I don't think he was patient and was excited to bang Torres out. Right or wrong.
"Dan you sure seem to think you would make a better umpire. When at best all you will ever be is a couch umpire and even at that you still would suck. So why dont you stop bashing on umpires. "
ReplyDeleteWow, seriously? I did not think his response was that bad. Chill out, the rod up your butt obviously has a rod up its butt.
Chippy near the end of the season, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great call. Why did he punch the runner out? Why did they appeal at all? both the same reason; 1B and Rackley were both looking down at the bag--an angle we don't see on the TV. They both saw dirt between the black shoe and white base. That's the only reason on a routine double that the defense wants to appeal and the 1B Umpire punches him out.
@Anon 8:27 am
ReplyDeleteYour reply to me was uncalled for. I think you need to take it down a few notches and try some decaf.
I wasn't bashing David Rackley, nor do I bash other umpires on this site. I know others do, but that's not me, and it's never been me. If you read my post, I even went out of my way to compliment Rackley, who I have seen several times this year, and been impressed with. I was simply disagreeing with his call in this case. That is allowed isn't it?
I like Rackley's positioning and how he handled the whole thing. The only thing I didn't like was the big punch out during the appeal? I don't think that was necessary for the appeal call. Other than that, I really think he held his own and made a good call. He had the best angle.
ReplyDeleteYa..you're right..who needs to sell a call like that
Delete"I wasn't bashing David Rackley, nor do I bash other umpires on this site. I know others do, but that's not me, and it's never been me. If you read my post, I even went out of my way to compliment Rackley, who I have seen several times this year, and been impressed with. I was simply disagreeing with his call in this case. That is allowed isn't it? "
ReplyDeleteForgot to take his Xanax...Let it go.
Because of the limited camera angles, replay would not have changed the call on the field. Most guys would have taken the easy way out on this and just "safe" the appeal... heck, he probably wouldn't of even gotten a visit from Matheny and we all wouldn't be here talking about this. However, I applaud Rackley for putting himself in the BEST position to see the touch/no touch AND for having the balls to make the "unpopular" call. To me... that says a lot about an umpire who does not give into the pressure and/or magnitude of the game and truly does "call what he sees" regardless of the possible backlash.
ReplyDeleteis it me or does rackley do a lot of mets games?
ReplyDeleteCCS Tony Randazzo has just ejected Joe Girardi I believe YES NEtwork showed him getting heated and throwing his hate, if this is true that back to back ejections. Balk n bob davidson ejected John maddon yesterday.
ReplyDeleteRandazzo just tossed Girardi- he was mad at Tony during the Yankees-Tigers series and Joe must be tired of this crew (Bob Davidson - long/girardi)
ReplyDeleteAnother ejection in this series? they only play 5 more times
ReplyDelete@Anon Don't forget this same crew with Tim Welke filling in for Gorman
ReplyDeleteWelke hands up incident
Bob Davidson will have homeplate tom should be a good one
ReplyDeletehttp://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=24467695
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8357759
you get the feeling that joe is trying to fire up his team, kinda like what maddon did yest.
ReplyDelete@ anon 5:47 that is exactly what Joe is doing
ReplyDeleteI was there, If not for the injury at 2nd. That giving more time for St. Louis to see replay and know.. APPEAL David Rackley has Balls The size of Texas.. He gets paid to call what he sees..... He did
ReplyDelete