There have been some terrible calls (and I mean terrible) in the MLB just one month into the 2021 season, but this one against Andrew McCutchen might take the cake. During the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday night matchup against the New York Mets, the umpires made a disastrous, unreviewable call on McCutchen in the bottom of the seventh.
With one out and McCutchen on base, Matt Joyce put a ball in play in the infield for Francisco Lindor. Lindor thought about tagging McCutchen on his way to second, but instead went to first to get Joyce, who was called safe on the play.
The umpires then called McCutchen out at second base for deviating from the base path, an incredulous call as it seemed the base runner did nothing wrong on the play.
Thoughts on this controversial double-play call?
(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/wBQ1mpsCSf
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 2, 2021
Taking a closer look at the play, McCutchen barely moved at all off the base path, basically moving in a straight line towards second base and not nearly running afoul of the MLB’s rule wherein a runner will be automatically out if moving more than three feet away from the base path to avoid a tag.
That is literally the worst call I have ever seen in any sporting event. Ever. McCutchen never deviated on his path to second base. Complete twilight-zone phantom call -on a call you hardly ever seen made anyway.#Phillies pic.twitter.com/OPZONqAwlc
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) May 2, 2021
And yet, the call was made on the field stood as it was an unreviewable play. The officials on the field took a look at Joyce being called safe at first and reversed that call, meaning the inning came to a close for the Phillies on a double play.
Of course, baseball fans were not happy with the call and took to social media to express their displeasure.
WILL SOMEONE LET ME KNOW WHEN ANDREW MCCUTCHEN ACTUALLY RAN OUT OF THE BASE PATH?! C’MON BLUE!!!#PHILLIES #RINGTHEBELL pic.twitter.com/xoyNmBEwjA
— Hunter Brody (@Brodes81) May 2, 2021
This call is embarrassing. lol. https://t.co/3GiSZwpGUj
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 2, 2021
Don’t think McCutchen even took a step to the left once Lindor started attempting a tag. What a brutal, deflating botched call.
— Ty Daubert (@TyDaubert) May 2, 2021
The Phillies official Twitter account had something to say about the matter as well.
Yes we have many thoughts.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 2, 2021
Even Bryce Harper, who was not playing in Saturday’s game, was ejected for being irate with the umpires.
— Absolutely Hammered (@AH_Pod) May 2, 2021
After the game, Phillies manager Joe Girardi called the missed call “terrible” and expressed disappointment that it wasn’t reviewable.
Joe Girardi: "That's was about as straight of a line as you can run." He added that it was a "terrible call" and is disappointed it wasn't reviewable.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) May 2, 2021
The universe is probably calling back its due on the Phillies after a controversial call went the team’s way back in mid-April. But still, not a good look here for the MLB officiating crew.
