Controversial Pierzynski call still puzzling to Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays were still smarting after Sunday's controversial loss in which A.J. Pierzynski was ruled to be obstructed by third baseman Willy Aybar , enabling the White Sox to seize a 6-5 victory.

[Conspiracy Man]

?

[CubsInSeattle]

Why does Ozzie constantly obsess over what everyone thinks of him and the team? He has taken his World Series as his right of passage to be an absolute moron.

[KenoshaMark]

It was grossly unfair that the White Sox had to complete their suspended home game in Baltimore. Baltimore should have been forced to return to Chicago, if the game was crucial to the final standings. I very much doubt they would ever do this to the Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox or Braves. Shame on MLB. The ticket holders for the suspended game should get a full refund.

[Martyb]

Maybe Andrew Friedman ought to talk to his centerfielder Upton, if he didn't dog it on the fly out AJ would have never been on 2nd base and Dye's ground ball to short would have been and inning ending double play..

[Rick]

Martyb wrote:

Maybe Andrew Friedman ought to talk to his centerfielder Upton, if he didn't dog it on the fly out AJ would have never been on 2nd base and Dye's ground ball to short would have been and inning ending double play..

That's true, but it doesn't change the fact that it was an awful call by the umpire. And it doesn't change the fact that Eddings has been shown to be a fool by AJ, a couple of times now.

[Clifton Clowers]

Rick wrote:

<quoted text>
That's true, but it doesn't change the fact that it was an awful call by the umpire. And it doesn't change the fact that Eddings has been shown to be a fool by AJ, a couple of times now.

The call was right as explained by umpire Ted Barrett. What part of the obstruction rule do you fail to grasp? Watch the replay carefully. Obstruction does not have to be intentional. It is called when there is impedement of a runner. This is rhe correct call.

[Gimy]

look at the rulebook, c'mon...i'm actually a slight fan of the Rays(love rocco, love scotty kazmir...and love carl crawford) but shutup. blame yourself. upton is an idiot for letting aj tag up on him. YOUR FAULT. you idiots kept throwing the ball on our SLOWEST runner on a run down. YOUR...FAULT. thats tee ball garbage. you're taught from little league...one throw, then you run the guy down and tag him. if you throw more than once, you're doing something wrong. you're running and throwing on aj? pathetic. besides, the call was right. as much talent as the Rays have...they seem to lack common baseball fundamentals at times and thats not good for a really good team going into the playoffs for the first time

[Tony]

Get over it TB. Move on..If you had an outfielder in left field instead of a ss, BA would've been out with a throw that didn't bounce 3-4 times...Upton's been dogging it most of the year and has been pulled from games for his lack of effort...

[Ruvvie]

A manager publicly supporting his player makes him an "absolute moron"? I'd point out how stupid that comment is, but really, why bother.

[city dude]

Clifton Clowers wrote:

<quoted text> What part of the obstruction rule do you fail to grasp? Watch the replay carefully. Obstruction does not have to be intentional. It is called when there is impedement of a runner.

Maybe YOU need to watch the replay carefully:

1. AJ lunges out at the infielder,

2. Makes contact,

3. Then loses his balance and falls on his can.

AJ was no longer trying to move to either base when he pulled his little cheap stunt, so exactly when was he "impeded"?

A: He wasn't, so no obstruction, and he's tagged out. THAT would have been the correct call.

[rwilymz]

Gimy wrote:

look at the rulebook

Okay ... it was still a bad call.

Bad umpiring is bad umpiring and simply finding sloppy playing that coincides does not make it any less bad umpiring.

shutup. blame yourself. upton is an idiot for letting aj tag up on him. YOUR FAULT.

This would be true if:
1] you are talking to B J Upton, AND
2] it in any way made it less bad umpiring.

you idiots kept throwing the ball on our SLOWEST runner on a run down. YOUR...FAULT.

This would be true if
1] you were talking to the Rays infielders, AND
2] it in any way made it less bad umpiring.

besides, the call was right.

Close. It was 50-50 ... right ... wrong ... which to choose...? You guessed wrong. That happens, so don't feel bad.

The obstruction rule requires a fielder to actually impede the runner. There was no impedence.

[joe]

how many outs were there when Alexei drove the ball to right field?

[Clifton Clowers]

joe wrote:

how many outs were there when Alexei drove the ball to right field?

TWO.

[Clifton Clowers]

city dude wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe YOU need to watch the replay carefully:
1. AJ lunges out at the infielder,
2. Makes contact,
3. Then loses his balance and falls on his can.
AJ was no longer trying to move to either base when he pulled his little cheap stunt, so exactly when was he "impeded"?
A: He wasn't, so no obstruction, and he's tagged out. THAT would have been the correct call.

You are very myopic!!!

[joe]

Clifton Clowers wrote:

<quoted text> TWO.

I dont think so

People keep talking like the Rays would have won this game without a doubt. The Sox would still be batting regardless if he was called out or not with two of our best hitters coming up and a pitcher that wasn't exactly dealing.

[rwilymz]

Clifton Clowers wrote:

You are very myopic!!!

Which of the many correct assertions are you suggesting devolves upon bad eyesight?

[too old]

People sure are bitter... just because AJ knows the rules of the game and uses them to his advantage, huh?

Admit it... if he were on the Rays, TB would be throwing him a party!

[joe]

CubsInSeattle wrote:

Why does Ozzie constantly obsess over what everyone thinks of him and the team? He has taken his World Series as his right of passage to be an absolute moron.

What are you talking about?

[rwilymz]

too old wrote:

People sure are bitter... just because AJ knows the rules of the game and uses them to his advantage, huh?

It's not so much that he "knows the rules", and it certainly isn't him making a "heads up play". He was a bonehead for getting caught off base on a ball hit to his right on a non-force play.

It's just that Pierogi seems to believe that when all else fails: make contact with other players. He did so, it threw the umpire into a temporary brain cramp -- which for Eddings doesn't take an awful lot, he's notorious for being a dimwit -- whine and raise a ruckus, and let the chips fall where they may.

Admit it... if he were on the Rays, TB would be throwing him a party!

Maybe, maybe not. It is my belief that if it were anybody but A H Pierogi involved in the play exactly as it unfolded, the runner would have been out.

It was high quality acting; not exactly Oscar-worthy, but maybe a People's Choice.

[city dude]

Clifton Clowers wrote:

<quoted text> You are very myopic!!!

Wait a minute here, pal -- you wrote earlier:

Clifton Clowers wrote:

<quoted text>Watch the replay carefully. Obstruction does not have to be intentional. It is called when there is impedement of a runner.

I *did* watch the replay carefully, as you suggested.

You said obstruction is called when a runner is impeded.

Based on the replay you insisted be watched so carefully, it's obvious that AJ was *not impeded*, because he wasn't making a move towards a base when he threw his elbow up into the infielder.

And I'd say that you now realize this is true, and are calling me "myopic" to deflect attention away from what really happened.