While most calls are more scrutinized now than ever before, umpires widening their strike zones in the final innings of lopsided games is not uncommon. It might generate some frustration from players, managers and fans but more often than not, those calls will not trigger boisterous arguments — especially from the leading team and not even third strikes.
But there are exceptions to that rule. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was an exception during Monday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
With his Yankees leading 6-0 in the eighth inning, Aaron Judge came to the plate. A 1-1 pitch from Toronto’s Jay Jackson was clearly low, but Clint Vondrak called it a strike. Apparently hearing some chirping from the New York dugout, Judge put his hand up as if to say, “relax.” It didn’t work. Shortly thereafter, Vondrak ejected Boone, who then came out for a spirited argument with the umpire.
We don't usually get heated arguments in 6-0 games, especially from the LEADING manager.
But Aaron Boone was not happy with the strike zone. pic.twitter.com/7JYY1504vl
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 16, 2023
Despite the game situation, Boone had a lot of support from fans, who did not feel that the lopsided score justified such a blatant missed call.
Even as a Sox fan I have to say, he’s not wrong
— Kyle Smith (@maineman1983) May 16, 2023
An egregious called strike. https://t.co/g3B69HnzTO
— Josh Martin (@JoshMartinTweet) May 16, 2023
Some might say, “Well, it’s the eighth inning and you’re up 6-0, so let it go.”
But bad calls like that are how we get Angel Hernandez-esque and Joe West-esque umpires at every game.— John Montgomery (@John8Montgomery) May 16, 2023
Two things are worth noting here.
One, the poor strike call didn’t hurt Judge in the at-bat. He worked the count full and ended up launching a solo home run.
Aaron Judge goes deep AGAIN, and this one goes 462 feet! ⚾️💣👨⚖️pic.twitter.com/1rBxU8QI4g
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 16, 2023
Two, while the game was one-sided at the time, it didn’t end that way. Toronto scored four runs in the eighth inning. New York still won 7-4. But Toronto’s rally shows that in a sport with no clock, a safe lead can easily become precarious. So, Boone’s argument was not off base.
[Photo Credit: YES]
