MLB Instant Replay
Bob Neumeier joined the Felger and Massarotti show today to discuss the worst call in recent memory. Not only was umpire Jim Joyce in perfect position to make the call and blew it, he robbed Armando Galarraga of a chance at history. The guys discuss what the MLB should do with it's instant replay policy.
Felger: "You got to think in the wake of this there's going to be an adjustment to the policy. This is going to help spurn something new. When something like this happens there's usually a reaction to it. I think this is going to impact replay. But I am concerned about the slippery slope."
Massarotti: "The best suggestion I have heard, Terry Francona has said this over and over again and I actually give him credit for it because it's a good theory. And it solves a lot of problems for baseball in these sorts of things. Add a 5th umpire. Put him in the booth and make him the official scorer. So he scores the game, he has replay capability, there's direct communication with the guys on the field. Solved."
Bob Neumeier doesn't want baseball to expand the replay policy because it will also expand the length of the game. He had this to say...
Bob Neumeier: "This game has slowed to a walk. I say play on. I don't expand replay because of this play last night. It's a human error. I feel bad for the pitcher. I feel bad for the umpire. But to all of a sudden have a knee jerk reaction because after the game the angelic looking pitcher says all the right things, the umpire sheds tears. That suddenly, because it's the last out of the game, should expand replay? Should tack on 30 minutes to an already marathon-like sport? No."
Felger and Mazz believe that there can be a happy medium without interrupting the flow and extending the length of the game. Felger and Mazz can imagine baseball with instant replay similar to college football where the decisions are made quickly by an official in the press box. What should the MLB do?
