Humans Make Mistakes

"Humans make mistakes."
That's a true statement, something that's been used a ton of times to explain mistakes committed by people, but if it's used to explain why a game-changing call in the playoffs was botched, what's the use of playing for the coveted World Series title?

This explanation was used among the MLB managers to cover up the mistake made by left field umpire, Phil Cuzzi, who blew a call from a Joe Mauer liner in the midst of a down-to-the-wire Yankees-Twins playoff game on Friday. A ball, which landed a clear foot from the foul line and also hit the glove of Yankees left fielder Melky Cabrera, was called as a foul ball and took back a potential ground-rule double for the Twins all-star catcher Joe Mauer.

This proved to be costly as the Twins had the bases loaded with 0 outs, but couldn't take advantage as they got out 3 straight times, ending a threat. The next half-inning, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira hit a game-winning home-run, which subsequently handed the Twins an 0-2 deficity, one that was too much to handle as they were booted out of the playoffs last night at the Metrodome.

Sure, umpires make mistakes here and there, blowing a call after a throw to first base proved to show that the runner is out, or a diving catch made by an outfielder that isn't really a catch, but given the circumstances of the situation, what can you say for that?

Game 2 of an ALDS series, top of the 12 inning, tie game.

Not to mention, that if that call was made right, the Twins would presumably be up a run because instead of Joe Mauer being stranded at 3rd base, he would've been driven in to give the Twins a lead, and maybe evening up the series at 1.

This just comes to show that the MLB has to really consider expanding their instant replay system; one that is presently only used for reviewing home-runs. Yes, there are issues with that like not being able to save the tradition of baseball and for time management purposes, but if saving tradition really was that important for Mr. Bud Selig and co., why would they introduce a portion of it already?

For a solution on time, why not try having a person in a booth like the NFL, having an instant replay system in front of them, reviewing close plays, and then having them a mic system with the home plate umpire, relaying the correct calls, therefore, saving time.

This is also not to mention, that MLB umpires have already blown 2 other game-changing, fate-changing calls this postseason as well. In the AL Central tiebreakers playoff game, Detroit Tigers third baseman, Brandon Inge was clearly hit by a pitch in the top of the 11th inning, but it was not called, and the bases were loaded, meaning that the leading run would've came in, putting the Tigers up one, possibly getting them into the ALDS.

Plus, last night, when the Phillies played the Rockies in game 3 of their series, Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley hit a ball that bounced and then hit him, making it a foul ball, but the umps did not call it, and on that ensuing play, Utley was called safe on a play where he was definitely out.

Yes, I love baseball and I would never want to ruin the long-lived tradition of this magnificent sport. However, now that botching calls has become a regularity and now that it's being made during critical times in games, baseball teams are being stripped from having potential success, and that would be breaking a tradition of baseball all in itself.

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Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham of Getty Images