Theoretically, the World Series should have the league’s best umpires. But as we’ve seen over the years, the human element on non-reviewable calls has provided for its share of controversy.
Tuesday night’s Game 1 of the World Series was no exception.
The Astros and their fans were understandably upset after the 5-4 loss to the Nationals, pointing to a blatant missed no-call on a catcher’s interference that impeded on Josh Reddick’s fourth-inning at-bat.
Replays showed that Reddick’s swing made contact with Kurt Suzuki’s glove. A correct call of catcher’s interference would have rewarded first base to the Astros outfielder. Instead, Reddick’s case to home-plate umpire Alan Porter went unheard, and he flew out that same at-bat.
Oddly enough, Porter seemed to check on Suzuki but didn’t make the call.
Had the call been made correctly, the Astros would’ve had two runners on with one out. The Nationals would get out of the inning without allowing a run.
The call — despite being clear-cut on replays — was not a reviewable play.
