Where's Enrico Palazzo When You Need Him?

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"That's the worst call I have ever seen!"

It's one of my favorite bits used on Billiken basketball over the years.  My zebra friends don't care for it too much.  And it is a little early to be dusting it off since hoops don't tip off for another 10 days or so.  So, why the line?  Have you been watching the baseball playoffs?  The umpiring has never been worse. 

Let's don't even go back to what was really the worst call I have ever seen when the ump robbbed the twins of a victory by blowing a foul ball call by a foot...and it was the foul line ump...that's the only reason he is there!

To prove the point we need delve no deeper than back-to-back innings in last night's ALCS game in Orange County.  Fourth inning, Nick Swisher on at second...Scott Kazmir nails the pick off throw, the tag is made and what?  He's safe?!  Swisher couldn't have been more out if he were knee-high three-stripe tube socks.  Then after advancing to third Swisher tags up on a fly ball to center and scores.  But wait, thirdbase umpire Tim McClelland says out for leaving too soon.  It was pretty clear to everyone but McClelland that Swish did not leave third early.  Now you could say that it was a make up call.  Everything worked out the right way.  But you then be admitting that sports officials would willfully alter a game with their calls.  They wouldn't do that would they? 

Let's move to the 5th...Jorge Posada (who has completly lost his ability to run the bases) is at third, Robinson Cano at second.  Posada doesn't run when he should then runs when he shouldn't and gets hung up between 3rd and home.  He trundles back to third but guess what? Cano is there.  So catcher Mike Napoli is the only guy in the game who knows what to do.  He tags everything in reach.  An unusual double-play but, two outs is two outs.  Or so it would seem.  McClelland is at work again.   He just calls Posada out.  Huh?  Neither runner was even close to third.  It could not be mistaken unless you're not paying any attention or on medication...or just inept.

That's the worst call I have ever seen!

In this series we would, literally be better off on the honor system.  Or as the great Whitey Herzog once told an ump,"It's a good bleeping thing you only have two choices."