Two years ago, I made the argument that baseball should join the 21st century and add instant replay after seeing a blown call during the Padres/Rockies playoff game. It took some time, but MLB finally decided to allow umpires the ability to review home runs. Unfortunately, Bud Selig refused to further integrate instant replay into the game. That poor decision altered history on Wednesday night when umpires were unable to review the blown call by Jim Joyce that ruined Armando Galarraga’s perfect game.
As we previously detailed, Joyce made a terrible call and cost Galarraga the perfect game. I understand the “human element” of the game and I think baseball should continue to have it. However, I like that umpires have the ability to review home runs and I would like them to have the ability to review more plays. To me, the best solution would be to give managers the option to throw a challenge flag much like NFL coaches. I would say give them two challenges per game (no need to completely slow down an already slow game) so that we can correct wrong calls.
NFL and NBA officials review plays using instant replay, NHL officials review goals, and tennis allows players to challenge calls. Why shouldn’t managers have the ability to do the same so that calls can be corrected?
Here’s a video of the blown call to ruin Armando Galarraga’s perfect game:
