Blown Calls Lead to World Series Umpire Switch
Feeling the sting of several missed calls in the 2009 playoffs, Major League Baseball has decided to use only veteran umpires for the World Series.
MLB will use crew chiefs Joe West, Dana DeMuth and Gerry Davis, as well as Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt for the Series, according to anonymous sources with the league.
Historically, the 6-person World Series umpiring crew usually includes at least one umpire who has never worked the Series before. In 2007 and 2008, however, there were three new umpires working the World Series.
CB Bucknor was set to work his first World Series this year but he blew two calls in Game 1 of the ALDS, crippling his odds of getting chosen.
Other umpiring errors include Phil Cuzzi’s call of a foul ball on a line drive by Joe Mauer that was actually fair by about 12 inches, Jerry Meals’ gaffe on a ball that ricocheted off Chase Utley’s leg, Dale Scott’s goof on a pickoff attempt and Tim McClelland’s bad call on a tag play.
Scott pulled an encore performance on Thursday in Game 5 of the ALCS, ruling that Johnny Damon of the Yankees was out even though he clearly beat the toss to first base.
These recent issues have ignited further calls from fans for more use of an instant replay system.
If you have any doubt about the impact that an umpire can have on the outcome of a MLB game, see our series below…
Is There Such a Thing as an Over or Under Umpire in Baseball?
Top Five Over Umpires in Major League Baseball
Top Five Under Umpires in Major League Baseball
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