Umps defend controversial call; Maddon fumes

ST. PETERSBURG — To crew chief Gary Darling, the crux of the controversy surrounding B.J. Upton getting called out in the sixth inning was pretty clear.

In Darling's interpretation of the baseball rulebook, Upton didn't have to do much in terms of attempting to run to second base after he overran first on an infield single. Once, according to Darling, Upton made a "little jab step and a shoulder" toward second, and Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick tagged him, Upton was out.

In the official baseball rulebook, Rule 7.08 (j) states that once a runner "fails to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base … if he attempts to run to second, he is out when tagged."

"He made an attempt to run to second base," Darling said. "I've called guys out for less."

Upton disagreed, and so did manager Joe Maddon, who was ejected after an animated argument with first-base umpire Jerry Meals. Darling supported Meals' decision, which only maddened Maddon further.

Meals originally called Upton safe when he beat an errant throw from Mark Teixeira to pitcher Ervin Santana, who was covering the base. Upton took a small step to his right, then to his left, but didn't cross the first-base line. Kendrick tagged a shocked Upton, who put his hand on his head in disbelief before Maddon argued his case.

"It's unconscionable; it can't happen," Maddon said. "It's wrong. On every level it's wrong. And furthermore, to have the crew chief come over and tell me it was the right call really got me upset. There's no room for that. … That is a fabricated call, I don't know what he saw."

Upton said only, "I didn't think I made a move toward the base. But obviously, (the umpires) thought differently."

Comments on this article

by Kevin	Aug 21, 2008 8:05 AM
You've got be kidding! There is no anti Tampa bias.

by Jim	Aug 21, 2008 8:05 AM
It was a bad call, but Upton was just loping up the basepath. I've come to the conclusion that B.J.'s just (pardon me) stupid. He insists on playing shallow in center. Balls hit in front of you result in singles,balls hit over your head are trouble

by Kristian	Aug 20, 2008 4:08 PM
Darling's comments just sums it up: "I've called guys out for less"... for what? Breathing? THE worst call in history - and I'm not even a Rays fan, just a mad Swede watching the game on replay overseas and it STILl drives me mad...!

by Dave	Aug 20, 2008 4:06 PM
The front office needs to take this to league. This is just like the Colts and all the blown calls they would get when playing the Patriots. Polian made a video and went to the commissioner and sold his case. It's the rays turn.

by RD	Aug 20, 2008 3:34 PM
Now, will Maddon be fined for the comments after the game? Umps make bad calls every game, but do they get fined?

by John	Aug 20, 2008 2:49 PM
I am so sick of the biased umps and ESPN that I could puke. They can't stand the fact the the Sox or Yankees are still behind us after 2 months! What a miracle, the Red Sox or Yanks aren't on the ESPN GOTW, and I get to see America's favorite team !

by Ryan	Aug 20, 2008 2:49 PM
I agree with Jan Below and its not just the Rays. Bucs and Lightning have been getting bad calls from their fellow league for years. But the Rays have been getting bad calls for years..now that were contenders it just matters more then ever.

by Jeff	Aug 20, 2008 2:49 PM
REALLY BAD CALL! Made worse by the ump not admitting it, this one needs to go in for review, it was not even close.

by Dan	Aug 20, 2008 2:49 PM
Umpires should be fined when making calls this bad. If Darling has called out guys for less and admits it, perhaps he should not be an umpire at all.

by Dick	Aug 20, 2008 1:14 PM
By any standard this was a blown call. Worse yet the umps refused to review the call. More evidence in the argument for instant replay. It is obvious that some MLB umps would like to derail the Rays efforts to win the East.

by Dave	Aug 20, 2008 1:14 PM
I'm afraid....REALLY AFRAID....you may be right Jan. Just like in the NBA I'm sure there are "company men" in MLB. The kind of shills and gutless yes-men to make up B.S. calls to favor a team playing against the Rays.

by Amanda	Aug 20, 2008 1:14 PM
I have tickets for tonight's game, but I'm stuck in San Francisco because my flight home yesterday was cancelled (thanks, Fay). Man, I wish I could be there to give Meals a piece of my mind. Mess with these boys, mess with us! Hell hath no fury...

by Gene	Aug 20, 2008 12:51 PM
For those of us at the game tonight, Meals is scheduled to be behind the plate! Hope Garza isn't looking for a big strike zone!

by trixie	Aug 20, 2008 12:50 PM
The 1st baseman dropped the ball any never tagged B.J. out, as coach Maddon said , the rules are very simple on this play..bogus call! Poor coach Maddon is sick from a bug he caught on the road trips, so he was in no mood! But we won! #1 Tampa Bay!

by Pauly	Aug 20, 2008 12:49 PM
I have to say even with instant replay the officals would have made the same call. "Darling supported Meals' decision". Umps seem to inject their ego into the game more and more. We pay to see the players play, not the ups make calls.

by Ernie	Aug 20, 2008 11:58 AM
It was a terrible call. I saw a base runner, who was hustling, attempting to slow down after crossing the bag. It was a phanthom call. I'm glad Joe made his voice heard in the manner he did even though he got ejected. Good for you, Joe Maddon.

by Jan	Aug 20, 2008 11:57 AM
Rays fans -- get ready for more calls like this -- the league doesn't want the lowly Rays to beat up on their mighty Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Cubs!!! The fix will be in -- the Rays will just have to outplay the calls.

by TC	Aug 20, 2008 11:56 AM
We won anyway...even with the ump(s) trying to sabotage Upton, Ha ha!! GO RAYS!

by Teri	Aug 20, 2008 11:56 AM
Of course they are going to stick together on this Bad Bad call! They are out to get Upton it seems like! This Ump should be fined! or even better fired.

by DIZ	Aug 20, 2008 10:57 AM
Matt's right. He looked like he was trying to avoid stepping on the ball. If he got injured, there would have been hll to pay!!!!!

by Dan	Aug 20, 2008 10:57 AM
Crew Chief Darling says: "I've called guys out for less". The gentleman is undeserving of his position in major league baseball. He gives the impression that the game is his to control. Mr. Darling needs an attitude adjustment. Mr. Commissioner?

by DIZ	Aug 20, 2008 10:22 AM
What the hll did BJ do that violated this rule?????? The ump needs to be fined. And, he needs new glasses.

by Dan	Aug 20, 2008 9:53 AM
Mannnn...when it rains it pours. This was the LAST thing BJ needed after last week. But he did good on the hustling and played an awesome game. Maddon and the entire stadium was with BJ on this one. Thanks, BJ. Now GO GET 'EM, GUYS!! GO RAYS!!

by Scott	Aug 20, 2008 9:53 AM
I wonder if the unpires would have the same stance after seeing the replay. It was so obvious they blew the call and BJ did not make an attempt to go to second. He didn't even cross over the base line and stayed in foul territory.

by T	Aug 20, 2008 9:53 AM
It pissed the Rays off enough that the bats started hitting - so bring it on umps - what rule states that you call strikes down by Floyd's knees - you umps need a refresher course - you leave a lot to be desired. Go Rays!!!

by Stephen	Aug 20, 2008 9:52 AM
Textbook example of why baseball needs instant replays. A bum like Meals shouldn't be allowed to coach little league.

by Harold	Aug 20, 2008 9:52 AM
For some unknown reason, it seems that everyone is on Upton these days. The kid does not deserve it. He is being over scrutinized. If you are trying to demoralize a player, this is the way to do it. Pick on someone else for while!

by Tom	Aug 20, 2008 9:52 AM
Even instant replay won't help if you have idiots like those umpires reviewing the tapes.

by Carroll	Aug 20, 2008 9:45 AM
I have seen this same b.s. call made against my braves years ago (I believe it was Andruw Jones who did the same thing). The rule should be such that you at least have to cross the 1st base foul line headed toward 2nd before you can be tagged out.

by Flip	Aug 20, 2008 9:43 AM
This call is the poster child for instant replay in MLB. It was THE worst I've ever seen.

by Bill	Aug 20, 2008 9:43 AM
Totally incorrect call. Should have thrown out the umpire.

by David in NY	Aug 20, 2008 9:42 AM
I'm blown away that the umps feel that was the right call. I regret that I am not in the Tampa Bay area so that I could go to tonights game with a big sign saying "Fire Meals!" Keep it up Rays!

by Mark	Aug 20, 2008 9:42 AM
Has to be THE worst call I have seen. BJ never crossed the fowl line towards 2nd nor did his shoulders turn in that direction. How many players I have seen turn to second only to walk back to first. Meals must have a bet on the outcome of the game

by Tim	Aug 20, 2008 9:40 AM
That is a ticky tack call in a game that has playoff consequences. The umpires need to use some common sense in making callls like this. Is he relaed to the referee that made the leaping call against Simeon Rice? Give me a break!

by Lopaka	Aug 20, 2008 9:39 AM
With the plethora of blown calls this season, the Umps are making a good case for instant replay. In addition, their arrogance in defining the game and the tantrums they throw when there's a protest are making are good case for electonic officiating.