An X account has highlighted a controversial strike call made by home plate umpire Scott Barry during a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs. The call, which was widely criticized as one of the worst on record, occurred in the ninth inning with the Pirates trailing the Cubs 15-6. Pirates’ first baseman Rowdy Tellez was on the mound and threw a pitch to Cubs batter Patrick Wisdom that was significantly off target, drawing comparisons to a beer league batting practice. The umpire’s call was so far off the mark that it missed the strike zone by 14.6 inches, according to Umpire Auditor history.
The video of the incident sparked debate among viewers, with some suggesting that umpire Scott Barry may have been trying to speed up the game due to the lopsided score. Despite the clear inaccuracy of the call, some fans speculated that the umpire’s decision was influenced by the game’s circumstances. The call was so bad that even the announcers expressed disbelief, with one asking if a strike had actually been called. The comical nature of the incident led to comparisons with Angel Hernandez, a recently retired umpire who was often criticized as one of the worst in MLB history.
Despite the attention garnered by the controversial call, it is important to remember that it was just one moment in a long baseball season. While the umpire’s decision may have had an impact on the game, it ultimately did not determine the outcome. Tellez, who was not a pitcher by trade, struggled on the mound and ended up walking a batter and hitting another to force in runs for the Cubs. The final score of the game was 18-8 in favor of the Cubs, with the questionable call by the umpire becoming a footnote in the wider context of the game.
The X account that highlighted the incident has been providing analysis of umpire decisions since 2014, with a focus on grading their performance. The call by Scott Barry during the Pirates-Cubs game was singled out as particularly egregious, drawing attention from fans and media alike. Despite the controversy surrounding the call, it served as a reminder of the challenges faced by umpires in making split-second decisions that can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game.
In the world of professional sports, officiating decisions are often scrutinized and debated by fans and experts. The strike call by Scott Barry during the Pirates-Cubs game was no exception, with many observers expressing astonishment at the inaccuracy of the call. While such incidents can lead to frustration and controversy, they also serve as a source of entertainment and discussion for fans of the game. Ultimately, the questionable call highlighted in the X account serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the human element that is inherent in officiating decisions.
