It’s a tough job to be an MLB umpire. It’s probably even harder to be a fill-in umpire. Unfortunately, Lew Williams learned that the hard way on Tuesday.
Williams, a minor league umpire, became the subject of conversation after he blew calls in the Tuesday afternoon game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.
Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos went to the plate in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Castellanos grounded a pitch to third base and made his run to first. Nationals third baseman Ildemaro Vargas made an outstanding play on it. However, Castellanos was clearly safe, but Williams called him out at first.
Absolutely brutal sequence from umpire Lew Williams:
Part 1: While Ildemaro Vargas makes a great play on a Nick Castellanos grounder, Castellanos easily beat the throw
Williams called him out. It was overturned. pic.twitter.com/AJn3tCX3ep
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 8, 2023
Nats first baseman Dominic Smith could be seen grimacing while walking away from the play, perhaps knowing it was the wrong call. Then, The play was later reviewed, and the Phillies won the challenge. But if that were not enough, Williams once again became the subject of controversy not too long after.
Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams made a pickoff move to try and nab Castellanos. He appeared to, as Williams called him out. But as it turns out, that also proved to be incorrect. Lew’s call was reviewed and then overturned. Phillies fans then proceeded to let him have it, booing him relentlessly.
Part 2: Trevor Williams throws over to first base. Williams again rules Castellanos out. The Phillies again challenge.
Not quite as bad as the previous play. But this, too, was overturned.
Unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia fans were not happy with the umpire. pic.twitter.com/n4wE4VsbHp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 8, 2023
That disdain continued online.
😭 bring on the bots https://t.co/UGjSskNfxh
— rob (@rob_b1991) August 8, 2023
As Jim Joyce taught us: On a great play, when in doubt, call him out. https://t.co/fiPZyWmRyM
— Jake Bunner (@JBunn10) August 8, 2023
Dom Smith's reaction each time is hilarious. He knows the calls are so wrong, he doesn't know what to do https://t.co/yD4FFahWII
— Andrew Bogusch (@AndrewBogusch) August 8, 2023
Umpiring is such a thankless job as it is, oftentimes rotted further by the worst of the bunch. While Lew Williams simply filled in and tried to do his job, this was not the greatest sequence for him. Not one to put on the demo reel, for sure.
