A New York Yankees fan awaits the start of Game 2 of the
American League division baseball series against the Minnesota
Twins at Yankee Stadium in New York Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Given the dramatic 11th-inning win, you won’t hear too many Yankee fans complaining much about the umpires’ ineptitude Friday night.
If the shoe was on the other foot, though, you better believe there would be some kicking and screaming in the Bronx.
The frustration started with home plate umpire Chuck Meriwether whose strike zone expanded and contracted from pitch to pitch.
A large strike zone is fine. A small strike zone is OK too. I don’t think anyone is looking for a universal strike zone anymore, but a consistent one is absolutely necessary - particularly in the postseason.
A 21-year Major League veteran, Meriwether has umpired in dozens of important games including two World Series, two All-Star Games, two Championship Series, and seven Division Series.
Clearly Meriwether is capable, but on Friday night he was universally unpredictable. There was no clear favoritism to any team or any particular players, just universal inconsistency that was as frustrating for fans to watch as it was for players to endure.
The worst moment for the Twins came leading off the 11th inning on a would-be double down the left field line called foul off the bat of Joe Mauer.
Mauer would go on to single in the at-bat but Phil Cuzzi’s blown call from what seemed like 10 feet away was a bitter pill for the Twins who would strand 17 runners in the game.
No one can say for sure that the Yankees still wouldn’t have gone on to win the game, but everyone would rather see games won and lost based on what’s actually happening on the field.
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