Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Reds-Cubs Replay?

Now, this doesn't rise to the level of Spy-gate in the NFL, but the Cubs' victory over Cincinnati on Monday has had a shadow of sorts cast over it by a wayward Lou Pinella - I'll let the Chicago Tribune explain:

The Reds officially filed a protest Tuesday over the 7-6 Cubs victory on Monday night but had not heard a final decision from the commissioner's office. The protest arose when Piniella walked toward the pitcher's mound in the sixth inning, then turned toward home plate to make a double switch, bringing in pitcher Scott Eyre and catcher Geovany Soto.

The book of Official Baseball Rules states a manager must go directly to the umpire when making a double switch. However, umpire crew chief Rick Reed cited an umpire's manual stating that the rule referred to a second visit to a mound and not the first.

"Why don't they put that into our [rule book] instead of just their manual?" Reds manager Pete Mackanin asked.

The worst-case scenario for the Cubs would be that the game has to be played over. But that is unlikely even if the protest is upheld.

Rule 4.19 of the official book states:"Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the [commissioner's office] the violation adversely affects the protesting team's chances of winning the game."

But Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said: "How can they say [Soto's] presence didn't affect the outcome of the game? Him being in the lineup changes everything."

Here's betting that Bud doesn't help out his old team by making them re-play the game. Too bad. Perhaps, like an aircraft carrier, it takes Sweet Lou's belly a while to get turned in the right direction once he disembarks from the dugout.

6 comments:

wv23 said...

Yes, this is a very serious issue.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Wrigleyville recognizes the importance of the MLB rulebook.

woziszeus said...

The Cubs are effing cheaters. The only way they can get into the postseason is if they luckbox their way by finding loopholes in MLB policy and sending pounds of blow to keep Turnblow & Wise happy.

Anonymous said...

As much as I dislike the Cubs, actually more so their idiot fans. (I would like to clarify: one of my best friends is a cubs fan, so I do know that intelligent cubs fans do exist). I do want to win the division, but I say we just go frieking win it and not worry about some technicality. The world is full of government overregulation, we do not need commissioners office to go buearacracy on us and step in here.
As a former umpire, coach, player I know that there are some dumbass rules in that book. Like that whole matching uniform thing. I hope you are not serious woz, you know the cubs will blow it. Way to use the term luckbox. Can you give me the two definitions of the phrase "hot box"
-Krey

Anonymous said...

This is not 'Nam, this is bowling - there are rules!

Anonymous said...

"I don't understand the deal here, but at the same time, I'm not going to question home plate umpire Rick Reed's decision to ignore the rule. ... It's his umpire crew, and they can do what they want to do. At the same time, you'd like everybody to play by the same rules. Houston was eliminated from the Wild Card and they're playing by the rules, and that's what you want everybody to do."

Note: edit of Cliff Floyd's ridiculous remarks.