Major League Baseball has an obvious pace of play problem, and while a pitch clock – which was used in spring training this year – is the most sensible method to speed up games, it could be years before we see a pitch clock instituted in the regular season. Arizona ace Zack Greinke and Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies combined to produce an incredible lowlight on Friday that shows why a pitch clock can’t come soon enough.
In the seventh inning battle between Albies and Greinke, the Diamondbacks pitcher threw a changeup for a ball with his fifth pitch of the at-bat to reach a full-count. Due to a ridiculous sequence on the mound and in the batter’s box, there was a delay of two minutes and five seconds between pitches – eclipsing the winning time in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Twitter user Rob Friedman created an incredible clip that shows the entirety of the Kentucky Derby playing out while Greinke and Albies shuffle around in between throws.
Here’s a blow-by-blow account of the delay:
- After Albies takes a full 25 seconds to get set in the box, Albies calls for time.
- Catcher John Ryan Murphy starts to come out for a mound meeting, but Greinke sends him back.
- Albies calls time again at the 1:07 mark.
- Murphy runs out for a meeting with Greinke
- Both players are back in position at the 2:00 mark
- Albies pops out
