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Forum: Talk Rays
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CHICAGO—A.J. Pierzynski doesn’t have that many fans around the game, but the guy certainly knows what he’s doing.
As he stumbled backward while caught in a rundown in the 10th inning, sticking his left elbow out and catching Willy Aybar along the way, Pierzynski yelled “Obstruction!” Jason Bartlett, who tagged him a moment later, couldn’t believe it, and he expected second-base umpire Doug Eddings to have a similar reaction. Instead, Eddings called Aybar for interference and gave Pierzynski third base.
“I think everybody knows A.J. plays hard, but he also does little things like that, too,” said Bartlett. “It’s something that they’re going to see on tape after the game and probably notice they made the wrong call, but you can’t change anything now.”
Naturally, the umpires defended their call following the game. Ted Barrett, who was at third base today, spoke to a pool reporter about the play. This was his explanation:
“As a runner, you’re allowed to do that. What Doug ruled at second base was, even though A.J. did kind of stick his arm out to make contact, Aybar was still in his way, so A.J., if he would have turned, he wouldn’t have been able to continue on to third. So after making the throw, Aybar is no longer in the act of fielding and he can’t obstruct the runner, which is what Doug ruled happened. And in a rundown, even though A.J. was going back to second, the rule of obstruction during a rundown is he gets his next advanced base and that’s why he was rewarded third base.
“If Aybar’s got the ball, there’s no obstruction, You protect the fielder when he’s in the act of fielding. Once that ball’s released and out of his hand, he has to vacate.”
Aybar said through interpreter Dioner Navarro that the umpire told him he initiated the contact with Pierzynski, rather than the other way around.
Joe Maddon wasn’t nearly as hot after this one as he was when B.J. Upton got called out after turning toward second in that game last week, but he still made it clear he disagreed with the call.
“We didn’t do the rundown very well, I’ll give us that. Our rundown technique was not good,” said Maddon. “But nevertheless, he still should have been out.”
Posted by H.B. Gonzalez, Tampa, FL on 08/25 at 07:19 PM
This idiot knows the difference between a player that hustles and one who is “smooth.” I hope you’re right, Tim, and we never again have to witness Upton being tagged out before reaching second on what should have been a double, by the first baseman that started out running behind him. That’s running a little too “smooth” for me. Let’s pray that Upton runs smoothly and hustles the rest of the year and we only get to praise his play. If not, God help the Rays. Amen.
Posted by Tim Halstead, Oldsmar on 08/25 at 06:30 PM
It seems to me that you idiots here just want to blame b.j. upton for every mistake,he seems to be the scapegoat, the bottomline is Pierzynski should of been called out at 3rd. and i think the reason you people say he doesnt hustle,have you realized that he runs smoothly because he isnt breaking a sweat doesnt mean he isnt trying. look at andruw jones he has been one of the best centerfielders the past like 8 years minus the last 2.
Posted by H.B. Gonzalez, Tampa, FL on 08/25 at 12:28 PM
Posted by Someone who actually knows what hustle is. Yes, Upton made a good catch. Hustle is thinking ahead to know the game situation and what should happen after the catch. See: Willie Mays throw after his great World Series catch against Vic Wertz. Many knowledgeable baseball people thought the throw was better than the catch. I like Upton as a potentially very good player that will never reach that potential if he doesn’t learn how to play the game the right way. Until then, he’s a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Posted by Someone who actually plays baseball., on 08/25 at 09:03 AM
Did anyone notice the deep flies Chicago had trouble catching or lack of catching this series? Running back on a fly ball in Chicago is not the easiest thing to do. BJ did a nice running catch and had trouble getting his feet underneath him. THAT play is not on him.
Posted by DAVID HARDEN, MULBERRY FL. 33860 on 08/25 at 08:22 AM
AS MANY WRONG CALLS THAT THIS UMPIRE HAS MADE, YOU WOULD BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO SIT AND WATCH HIS MISTAKES ON FILM UNTIL HE GETS IT RIGHT
Posted by Dustin, home on 08/25 at 07:28 AM
This is Frickin what if call ....read the Umps comments. When did MLB start making calls on what if scenarios!
Posted by Terri Cahill, Spring Hill, Florida on 08/24 at 10:30 PM
I think something needs to be done about BJ, it’s a shame - he has talent, potential but it is almost like he has ADD...does he forget we are in a pennant race?? Mistakes happen - like Riggans not getting the man out at home - but no lack of hustle there - just no excuse for that - not now, not ever.
Posted by H.B. Gonzalez, Tampa, FL on 08/24 at 10:03 PM
The White Sox did it again to Upton! I wrote to you on 6/2 about Thome taking advantage of Upton’s lack of hustle and turning a bloop single into a double. This time on a fly ball to Upton he turns his back on the infield, takes a couple of strides toward the wall before casually turning back toward the infield and throwing a lollipop towards second. Pierzynski, easily tags up on first and advances to second. All the other teams in the league know what the White Sox know, Upton doesn’t hustle. I’m beginning to reach the conclusion that Upton, instead of not wanting to hustle, just doesn’t KNOW HOW! Whatever the reason, enough is enough! Upton must go, before he costs the Rays their season, either on the bases or in the field.
Posted by john, riverview on 08/24 at 09:25 PM
This BJ thing is out of hand. I thought higher of Madden than this, but this is the managers job to take care of an employee that is slaking off. He seems to think it is the teammates responsibility to take care of this, as he said last week it is out of his hands. If it is, then the team might as well fill out the line up card too. My son was asking me to go see a game, but I had to tell him I am not donating to that lazy Upton, that is ridiculous. If he doesn’t want to play hard, he needs to be released. He won’t run hard to first, he screws up in the out field, his numbers at the plate are very average. He leads the world in lack of hustle.
Posted by David Dolgin, Chicago on 08/24 at 08:48 PM
Hey dont take it personnally. Edinger is AJ’s fool. Ask the Angels. As a White Sox fan all I can say is I am glad he is on our side. Rays are a heck of a good team though. We were lucky to win even one.
Posted by Mike Essie, Brandon on 08/24 at 06:25 PM
how about this...if B.J. hustles making the catch near the warning track...getting the ball into second...keeping the runner from advancing from first...this play doesn’t happen...wake up BJ!!!!
How many times can you say “I get it” before yo REALLY get it.
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Posted by Tim, Oldsmar on 08/25 at 11:31 PM
Ok, he was in the wrong on that i will admit that. i dont see anyone on here complaing about shawn riggans booting a ball on what would of been the final out that was the game right there