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Showing 13 of 95 · Umpire Controversies
Umpire Controversies2025
Hudson and the Immaculate Inning
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one called strike from an immaculate inning when Marvin Hudson ruled a 96-mph fastball a ball. Yamamoto struck out the side anyway. The inning was no longer immaculate.
San Diego Padres · Los Angeles Dodgers
Umpire Controversies2024
Hoberg Is Fired
Pat Hoberg, one of the league's most accurate ball-strike umpires, was fired for sharing legal betting accounts with a poker player who bet on baseball, and for deleting messages. Major League Baseball found no evidence he had bet on the game himself.
Rules & Quirks2023
Scherzer's Hand
In the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium, the umpires checked Max Scherzer's hand and glove, ruled them too sticky, and threw him out. Major League Baseball suspended him ten games. He said it was rosin and sweat.
New York Mets · Los Angeles Dodgers
Umpire Controversies2021
The Check Swing
With the tying run on base in the ninth of a winner-take-all game, Wilmer Flores held up on an 0–2 slider. First-base umpire Gabe Morales ruled that he had swung. The Giants' season ended.
Los Angeles Dodgers · San Francisco Giants
Umpire Controversies2019
Turner in the Runner's Lane
In World Series Game 6, Trea Turner was called out for runner's-lane interference on a bunt, and a run came off the board. The rule's wording became the argument. Washington won the series anyway.
Washington Nationals · Houston Astros
Umpire Controversies2018
Three Calls, Four Innings
In the first four innings of a 2018 division-series game, first-base umpire Ángel Hernández had three calls overturned by replay. Two involved Didi Gregorius. One involved Gleyber Torres.
Boston Red Sox · New York Yankees
No. 2012.10.05
2012
October 5
Umpire Controversies2012
The Infield Fly in Atlanta
With the Braves rallying in a winner-take-all game, Sam Holbrook called the infield fly rule on a ball that fell in short left field. The crowd threw trash for nineteen minutes.
Atlanta Braves · St. Louis Cardinals
Umpire Controversies2010
Galarraga's Imperfect Game
Armando Galarraga was one out from a perfect game when Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe. Joyce saw the replay, and said he had missed it.
Detroit Tigers · Cleveland Indians
Umpire Controversies2005
Pierzynski Runs to First
In the ninth inning of the 2005 ALCS, strike three got to Josh Paul and the Angels left the field. Doug Eddings ruled the ball had touched the ground. A.J. Pierzynski ran to first.
Chicago White Sox · Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
No. 1996.10.09
1996
October 9
Fan & Crowd Moments1996
Jeffrey Maier Reaches Over the Wall
A twelve-year-old reached over the wall and turned Derek Jeter's fly ball into a home run. The umpire out there never saw the hand.
New York Yankees · Baltimore Orioles
Umpire Controversies1985
Denkinger Calls Orta Safe
With St. Louis one out from a championship, Don Denkinger called Jorge Orta safe at first. Replays showed he was out. The Cardinals never got the inning back.
Kansas City Royals · St. Louis Cardinals
Rules & Quirks1983
The Pine Tar Game
George Brett's go-ahead homer was taken off the board because there was too much pine tar on the bat. The league president put the homer back.
Kansas City Royals · New York Yankees
No. 1982.08.23
1982
August 23
Umpire Controversies1982
Perry, Ejected
Dave Phillips ejected Gaylord Perry for a spitball without looking at the ball. Perry said it was a forkball. The league suspended him for ten days anyway.
Seattle Mariners · Boston Red Sox