Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Third generation, still not right

Hunter Wendelstadt is a third-generation major league umpire. His dad is Harvey, his Gramps is Ed, both were major league umps too. So Hunter should know better than to watch a play at the plate from behind the catcher's haunch where the view of the plate and the tag are blocked. Yet Hunter did just that last night -- ruled on a play at the plate when he was blocked from seeing Jorge Posada's foot hit the dish before Jesse Molina's tag (you need to tag with the ball, not some other part of the body) and ruled Posada out. Two innings later, the Angels scored the only official run of the game.

Last night's game was great -- good defensive plays, tough pitching ('tho I cannot understand why the Yanks suddenly can't hit uber-retread Aaron Sele), drama and some dopey mistakes by the Yanks -- but the outcome was skewed by the blown call at the plate. Then again, you have to wonder why Torre let Posada run from second with two outs in the ninth instead of pinch-running the faster Homer Bush . . .

One other note, I like Javier Vazquez. He's tough and seems smart b/c he makes adjustments on hitters. He noted in the NY Post that he has a better feel for a team after he's pitched against them once. Sure enough, he's pitched well in second starts against Boston and Anaheim under difficult conditions (three days' rest, roadie after losing to the Angels at home). If only the Yanks could score in those games . . .

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