The Worst Call in MLB History -- Why It Might Have Been Correct l Baseball Bits

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In the debut episode of Baseball Bits, Foolish Baseball examines the controversial game-ending call in the July 26, 2011 game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves. Umpire Jerry Meals set the baseball world ablaze when he called Julio Lugo safe, but was he correct all along?
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Did Jerry Meals make the worst call ever? Or, was Julio Lugo safe? I make a deep dive into one of baseball's "wtf moments." Whether this is just another incident is of MLB idiot umps is up to the viewer, but I think there's an existing possibility that Lugo was safe on Scott Proctor's walk-off (or should I say fall off). We also learn a little bit about the MLB Instant Replay review process.
SOURCES:
• 2011/07/26 Pirates fal...
• Pirates Fans Talk Abou...
• Umpire Jerry Meals Mak...
www.baseball-reference.com/bo...
www.fangraphs.com/not/obvious/
www.baseballprospectus.com/ne...
www.flipflopflyin.com/flipflop...

[@R8rRen]

No, the worst call in baseball history cost a man a perfect game.

[@nacoran]

Galarraga should be listed with an asterix in the perfect game lists that says an ump blew a call otherwise it would have been perfect. That would let him be in the books and, better yet, get people to look up the video and see the whole controversy. The story is almost as good as the perfect game.

[@evanmeyer4209]

3:45 he missed him

[@deej7]

the Galarraga call wasn't as bad as everyone thinks. there is a rarely-seen angle from the other direction where you can see Galarraga bobbles the ball a bit inside his glove as he touches the bag.

[@shanepartridge2744]

@@deej7 can you link me

[@coolguy02536]

On the plus side, we literally know Galarraga was perfect. He still has bragging rights. The only thing impeding that is the inability to reverse the objectively incorrect call.

[@underhandcloud1414]

This could literally be the greatest call in MLB history

[@camacho_12]

Conner Pickus it is, even though it looks like he’s out by a mile, I paused it on like the slowest speed possible and he didn’t tag him

[@Luke-yq1vt]

It is

[@poolsoup6650]

ODS_Cobbtune I mean, he still could’ve tagged him. Like it’s so close if you say definitively you’re lying to yourself

[@camacho_12]

Pool Soup the mlb reviewed it and he was safe

[@poolsoup6650]

ODS_Cobbtune my statement stands

[@jacobrice3242]

The first time I ever watched this play in real time I thought "wow the catcher missed the tag"

[@mattdavidson535]

Jacob Rice as a former catcher, I did too

[@rorye6952]

M who fucking asked

[@xx_xx_xx2827]

Roar E did u ask? cause i sure didn’t.

[@rorye6952]

Cayson VLOGS no I don’t think so..

[@beachsunsets8254]

Just ignore Manchester, he’s just begging for attention

[@arugula2787]

The commentator also says "not in time" and not like "he missed the tag." I think this is an underrated factor in this play's notoriety. The commentator failed to provide a plausible reason for why the runner may have been safe, instead saying something that clearly was not the case. I am absolutely convinced that the call was responsible for like 40% of the outrage. If he said "he missed the tag," viewers may have seen that this was a possibility from the beginning, but because the explanation provided was so clearly implausible, it added to the confusion and reaction.

[@BeefPapa]

I actually admire Meals for going with what he saw, instead of assuming what should've been.

[@FoolishBaseball]

I agree 100%.

[@revinevan87]

he didn't see Lugo's reaction?

[@FoolishBaseball]

If he's making a call based off Lugo's reaction, he's doing it all wrong. The right thing to do is call what he sees.

[@why-even-try-brotendo]

Lugo's reaction completely destroys your entire video. You are purposely leaving it out to fit your own narrative. You are dishonest and wrong.

[@tytyty1469]

@@why-even-try-brotendo Lugo's reaction has nothing to do with the tag, it's Meals who's making the call, not Lugo, so the comment that you made, is irrelevant.

[@markcristino3251]

Give umpires gopros on their face masks!!! Why is that not a thing????

[@yayabelico]

Mark C fr

[@Killersam776]

Never even thought of this

[@Booce-db5db]

Too expensive

[@Killersam776]

Booce1234 you mean to tell me the mlb can’t afford some gopros? There’s almost 100 umpires but you would never need more than 60 at a time. You mean to tell me the mlb couldn’t afford $20-$40k? Not only that but i’m sure they wouldn’t pay full price if they buy 100 of them. Plus gopros aren’t really the ideal camera to use. Some sort of body cam would be better and cheaper

[@joeyjgregory790]

Because umpires remove their face masks when they make a call like that. Maybe a body cam, which isn't a bad idea...but at this time there are so many cameras at different angles, it's almost impossible to blow a call (when instant replay is used).

[@TheToad075]

His family got death threats and his children were approached by angry Pirates fans, so basically total strangers scared his family over an insanely tough call

[@starshipsn1511]

A call which was correct

[@gaylordrobinson1199]

Average pirates fans. Blaming anybody but their shit team for losing.

[@grahmthrush4924]

This happens to umpires daily unfortunately. People suck.

[@navymusician822]

mouth-breathing psychopaths

[@michaeldoran4367]

CHOKING HAZARD CAUSED BY 39 INCH VEINY BLACKHAWK FROM A HOMELESS MAN ON A BUS

[@ericmeyer315]

I know I'm way late to this party, but I'm the dude who caught the ""double"" at 11:20! I was so surprised to see myself here - it's a honor to be on this channel! haha Also Crawford sent me a signed ball/baseball cards, plus special tickets to another game, AND I did a live interview on Giants pregame live the next day. So in conclusion: umps should blow more calls! It's good for the fans.

[@thered28]

dude it is you

[@JDizzle785]

Wait I’m confused, what was the call?

[@ericmeyer315]

@@JDizzle785 They called it a double on fan interference... so they kicked me out and took the ball away lol. On an obvious home run!

[@Jivvi]

How could that possibly be a double? If it bounces on the wall and stays inside the foul pole, that's still a home run, right? I can see them ruling it a foul ball, but that's still out of play, so interference is irrelevant.

[@ericmeyer315]

@@Jivvi eeexactly.

[@claym4594]

I just want everybody to know that my Dad is from Pittsburgh and my mom is from Atlanta. I live in the ATL and my birthday is the 27th, and as my birthday present, we went to the next game in the series. My parents argued about that call for AT LEAST 6 innings the next day, AND STILL FUCKING ARGUE ABOUT THAT CALL TODAY.

[@zacharysnyder2520]

It always sucks to see galaraga get robbed.

[@Detroit_DGAF]

Sick to my stomach everytime.

[@jmp92688]

Ugf panda?

[@Karmy.]

Yep :(

[@raishauntanner4206]

Zachary Snyder facts bruh

[@mleiblie0513]

I feel really bad for both Jim Joyce and Gallaraga. Jim Joyce was visibly upset the next day. Such a great moment when they met at home before the game.

[@CZsWorld]

Baseball + Pokemon Johto music? A match made in heaven.

[@Garbgaming]

Yes

[@blazeroosterYT]

Yes

[@Oliver-jn3wp]

I thought I was the only one

[@mookie_man_8031]

CZ what are you doing here lol

[@mattvillan4591]

Wasn't expecting you here

[@laa0fa502]

I feel bad for ole Jerry here, it's the MLB's fault they didn't have replay for calls this close and he'll never be as bad as some umps, he got too much heat.

[@bezllama3325]

He was righf

[@RyanLendt]

Dude, I’m in 100 percent rapture while watching your vids. Verlanders impeccable inning was amazing. This had me laughing out loud. You rock.

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thank you Ryan :)

[@paysonfox88]

The best part is the end -- he...got......wrecked !!!

[@Hooper-ml4om]

They could still be playing if it wasn’t for him😂😂😂

[@brendan594]

Luke Marlan hahahaha

[@mattk3654]

This comment made my day 😂😂👍

[@Bigbenembut]

Kid

[@Bigbenembut]

He’s safe

[@cityofchampions0939]

Brendan Myers he was out

[@Bookworm0485]

The only part of Lugo's leg that the catcher's glove seemingly touches is his inner thigh, which was likely just out of Meals' direct line of sight so all he sees is the glove coming up and over (and apparantly just missing) the top of Lugo's thigh. I personally think Meals' did the right thing waiting to call Lugo safe or out until he stepped on home plate without a second, more obvious tag). In all honesty the Pirates catcher is the really only person who messed up on this play. #1 the ball arrived at the plate before Lugo was even half half way down the line so he had time to properly set up the tag (i.e. positioning him self to make a clean tag, lowering his glove so that there's no chance he'll miss with the tag and holding the tag on Lugo until the call has been made) and get the easy out (and possibly turn it into a double play since the batter epically failed at running to 1st base). #2 he either fails to realise a call has not made or he just didn't care that Males' had not acutally called Lugo out when he begins to turn away to celebrate (what would have been) a huge out. #3 his situational awareness at the time of the play sucked. It's the bottom of the 19th inning, and the home team has the weakest part of their lineup coming up to bat and there's less than two outs. You know that runner is going to be coming home on any deep infield ground ball and the opposing pitcher is the batter creating the opportunity for a double play with a clean tag at the plate. He also doesn't even seem to realise that Proctor had fallen thereby ensuring an inning ending double play (he seemingly turns and looks towards third base after de-tangling from Lugo rather than first base before he heard the safe call and looked back at Males). Also, the top of the Braves lineup is coming up which makes a potential double play that much more important, because it would have given his teammates another at bat before that happened. #4 Finally, every kid who plays baseball or softball is taught fairly early on to maintain the tag until a call is made especially in a bang bang play situation such as this. The bottom line is that there were a lot of mistakes on the catcher's part that lead to the not so great, game ending call.

[@alestev24]

I could not agree more.

[@yoda9256]

he tagged him. where is this the catchers fault?

[@thatoneguy9666]

@@yoda9256 he didn’t make the tag clear

[@DaveS859]

@@yoda9256 change your profile pic to a Muppet

[@kaidansheehan7484]

Agree with most of it, but players are taught to get the glove out of the way once they make a tag to keep the ball from getting knocked out of the glove, not hold it and wait for a call

[@Chris_Izee]

YOOOOO THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART IS THAT JERRY MEALS MOVED THE BAT OUT OF THE WAY AND WAS STILL RIGHT THERE TO SEE IT GO DOWN

[@juicexyj]

11:58 the best part of this entire video. hands down.

[@Earthboundmike]

Dude I didn't even notice that happen til he pointed it out there. How.

[@Earthboundmike]

You can see him having to get up in the original video section lol

[@nam6128]

The 8 bit destruction sounds makes this whole clip 💀

[@nickhancockgolf]

@@nam6128 love the fade out while talking shit about Proctor. "May I remind you, he had a 6.4................"

[@Jivvi]

I see what you did there.

[@jamesnelson760]

THANK YOU for using pokemon 2nd gen music! Made it epic

[@PurpleMuleMan]

The most amazing thing about this video

[@coolguy02536]

I was too focused on the video to even notice until you pointed it out.

[@yap09]

clicked on this video while playing heart gold, wtf

[@radieon]

Was there some first gen in there?

[@TheAmpharosFreak]

radieon no

[@diggsfather]

12:09 john kruk said it best. “I’m not an athlete. I’m a baseball player.”

[@DerekS75]

I feel like he made the tag but it was so close it could have been called either way and props to the ump for making a tough call and going off what he saw

[@sonnyliveringhouse6876]

I remember staying up all night to watch this game with my dad and losing my damn mind over this call.

[@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990]

Sonny Liveringhouse but on abc mews that was really safe I would call him safe no doubt safe

[@Stooch]

also remember this game just cus of how long it was

[@pirana6]

If 2011 didn't have high enough definition video and MLB didn't have enough video angles to DEFINITIVELY say he was tagged or DEFINITIVELY say he wasn't, there's no way you can say this was a horrible call. Just because the ball gets to the plate before the runner doesn't mean he's automatically out. Was he out? Probably. But it was a VERY close call.

[@FoolishBaseball]

I think this comment reflects my sentiment exactly. If a bang-bang play at first is milliseconds away from safe or out, it's seen as an incredibly close play. But when it's a matter of a glove being millimeters away from a knee, people act like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

[@afhostie]

@@FoolishBaseball so much of that is fueled by this play being so routine that you focus only on the big picture. Combine that with the bad angles and its easy to assume the call was bad. Not enough credit goes to refs, split second calls where they're expected to see everything all at the same time.

[@pauljosephdial1966]

Yeah but still

[@jayit6851]

@J H You act like that means something. 2011 was a lot more different than you may realize.

[@davidprince1138]

I agree! That is what I had just posted. Also, in many of these "blown calls\bad umpires" clips the action sequences are literally in centiseconds and even then we can see them only because the recordings can be slowed down and zoomed in with very high definition recordings.

[@RosserJackson]

I love the sound effects when Proctor takes his tumble.

[@Decetop]

I agree with what Meals said first. The glove moves in a single sweep upward, not stopping or slowing in any way that would indicate contact.

[@brianlavalley3983]

Everyone else: "Wow, really cool and informative video, thanks" Me: *jamming out to pokemon music*

[@siralexander12]

Yesssssss

[@SoOoWaVyYy39]

Realest shit I've ever read 😂😂😂

[@bemoore4]

The music is ruining this video for me. I simply can't stand that type of music (but I don't play video games).

[@rileye9358]

@@bemoore4 damn that sucks. Guess you'll have to deal with it

[@greedx__]

hell yeah

[@skiplin1888]

You remind me a lot of Jon bois. Your videos are just amazing I really do love them as a fanatic of baseball. Please keep making them they are art

[@samswanson1293]

Yes jon bois made some of the best videos I have ever seen, his “pretty good” series was incredible, to bad his vids now are just not the same

[@radieon]

I'm not a fan of baseball, but he and Jon Bois have similarities which is why I persevered through the video, and I am glad I did. Great content, keep up the good work!

[@lam8138]

Nik Gâ the Bob Emergency is pretty good

[@jacksonballa13]

Jon Bois is an actual communist

[@lam8138]

Mark what

[@namelessrocker12]

The slower it’s played the clearer it is that it was almost definitely the correct call

[@fallen4life080]

Funny cause to me the slower its played the clearer it becomes to me that he was out. Some have said that the fold on his pant leg where the glove "touches" it is just from the momentum and movement of his body that creates the folds in his uniform, but to me that's just too much of a coincidence that a fold happens to occur at that exact spot right as the glove touches the leg. Also not to mention that the runner was surprised he was called safe, runners are quick to tell an umpire that no tag was made. My verdict is: Umpire was correct on his examination of the replay, runner was out.

[@seankiesling2054]

"Almost definitely" nice

[@carlsmith4568]

@@fallen4life080 you're blind then. The pro ump who was two feet is much more credible than you. He saw no tag, so I believe him.

[@noahhess4955]

Is your profile pic from the Spyro trilogy game?

[@deesh1124]

@@carlsmith4568 Why be such an asshole for no reason, guy? He provided solid, easily understandable logic to his argument and all you have to say is “you’re blind, he saw it and that’s that.” No logic, no argument, just being an insufferable prick. When Angel Hernandez misses a call by crazy margins (3+” off the plate strike calls, calls guy safe when his foot is like 10” off the bag when the ball is caught), and furthermore when (some of) these calls are REPLAY REVIEWED AND REVERSED, do you say “he’s the pro, he saw it, he’s right”? No, because that would be stupid for 2 reasons: 1. Replay review is there for a reason, to make sure the correct call is made if/when an ump makes a mistake 2. The evidence is usually conclusive, and as such, they make the call based on that. I know they didn’t have replay review at the time, but for me, with the camera angles we saw here and the video playing, everything that guy said was right: the glove moved right as it “passed” his leg. (P.S., the word “blind” is normally used when someone *doesn’t* see something that’s there, so maybe *you’re* the blind one?🤔)

[@334outdoors8]

This is more relevant than ever to a Braves fan

[@bodenbratley995]

Love the Pokemon Gold/Silver music behind baseball

[@sadbravesfan]

Dang they played so long McCutchen even had to pitch.

[@missysager5047]

It wasn't Andrew Mcuchen you stupid

[@yourthighness273]

@@missysager5047 My guy it's a joke *whoosh*

[@jbj7599]

@@yourthighness273 a stupid joke that was used in the video itself, how clever

[@wexfordbuccos_7161]

aquariex24 Daniel McCutcheon. An actual pitcher. Not Andrew McCutchen the outfielder

[@jimmyywutang832]

@missy safer @Wexfordbuccos _ r/wooooooooooooooosh

[@jackpatton4291]

I’m here after braves vs Phillies and this has to challenge that

[@jimmeeks320]

I love all your videos man!!! The graphics and the music is awesome!!

[@TheJudge7]

With my first look at the abc footage I thought he was safe

[@baez18]

So stupid I understand why you don't play baseball

[@courtneycooper1448]

@@baez18 Its someone's opinion what they think.I play baseball and my decision is hes safe but its not good enough quality to 100% say he is or isn't

[@BoHorn]

jojo baezツ youre like 11... you dont play baseball either. Aside from that, completely irrelevant to the matter at hand.

[@elijahrincon3586]

@@baez18 thats the samething I’m thinking

[@strudel1347]

@@baez18 not old enough to be playing real baseball little guy, sit down

[@RC.41]

There have been 25 perfect games in history. The 23 official ones + Milt Pappas and Armando Galarraga

[@brendan594]

Rob Fowler yep

[@donwhiteley3293]

Eh, Galarraga yes, but Pappas legitimately walked the 27th hitter. Pappas just got angry that the umpire didn't get caught up in "perfect game mania" and give him a call on a pitch that was about 4 inches high and 6 inches outside.

[@themacocko6311]

@@donwhiteley3293 I'm not familiar with this. What happened with Galarraga game?

[@donwhiteley3293]

@@themacocko6311 Galarraga retired the 1st 26 Indians that came to the plate. With 2 outs in the 9th, Jason Donald hit a ground ball that Tigers' 1B Miguel Cabrera fielded in the hole between 1st and 2nd (and probably should have let the 2B handle while he covered first). Cabrera threw to Galarraga covering 1st and the game should have been over. BUUUTTT . . . 1B umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe saying he beat the throw even though he clearly hadn't. You can find the clip on youtube and see how badly the call was bungled. To make matters worse, since Joyce had ruled that Donald beat the throw instead of Galarraga missing the base or being pulled off the base by the throw, the official scorer was forced to call it an infield single which ruined the no-hitter in addition to robbing him of a perfect game. Galarraga then retired the next hitter to cap his official 1-hit ShO.

[@jagreene8]

I hate you JOE FREAKIN WEST

[@emilgilels]

Great job, Foolish Baseball. Love your stuff, keep up the great work!

[@CameronCajun]

Dude, great video! I never, never, never would have known about the Proctor face-plant if it weren't for your vid. I was having one of those crappy, hot-ass, muggy days, too --- terrible! It turned on a dime seeing Proctor turn base running into a chalk-eating contest! My day turned clear, sunny, with a little breeze on the cheek after that. Appreciate it!

[@neilpavao7348]

6:30 hr's? sound's like a 9 inning Red Sox -Yankees game.

[@FoolishBaseball]

LOL. Too true.

[@jacobbaker4293]

LMAO true

[@bama-kid-1453]

Who else clicked the time stamp first and thought it ment something else besides 6 hrs and 30 min

[@neilpavao7348]

@Bama-kid rofl my bad

[@whyamihere8313]

Bama-kid -14 same

[@andrewb4544]

Am I still the only one that thinks he didn’t tag him?

[@blive2849]

Yes

[@averyketchens9749]

no

[@andersonsanchez5200]

Look at his thigh he taged him

[@averyketchens9749]

@@andersonsanchez5200 No he didnt. He had 1 job n failed. Its very obvious to the point of u can see a gap between the glove & uni.

[@adannieves2238]

Boi it ruined the season!

[@zacharybachand7023]

Totally appreciated hearing the Golden Rod City music. That was my favorite town in Silver Version just for the music.

[@OGPapatron]

Very well polished, Bailey! Great video

[@ethanyaboy9003]

When I clicked on this vid I thought it would all be Angel Hernandez clips

[@theunwelcome]

his no-HR call on Adam Rosales is still one of the worst calls I've ever seen, and he even went to the replay and STILL called it a double

[@bigl5343]

@@theunwelcome when reviewed the decision is made by umpires in a New York based review platform. I can see why Hernandez missed the initial call in real time due to how the ball bounced. I am not defending Angel's consistent poor performance, but this one is on the review crew. I do not know what they saw, it obviously was a homer. Why does the MLB have a third party review? The crew chief should be responsible for reviewing the crews own calls and make the verdict.

[@Retired_Detective51]

Are we going to ignore Lugo’s reaction? He seems genuinely surprised that he was called safe. Which suggests that he knew that he had been tagged. He didn’t try to sell that the tag was missed. I think that’s a very important part of this video that was overlooked. Having said that, this channel is full of very high-quality content very much enjoy. Keep up the good work.

[@seamus4132]

Except he felt the arm of the guy on the swipe up, not the leg contact

[@butler4692]

Real Detective51 that’s not necessarily true, he may have just figured from the Umps point of view hd looked out and it wasn’t gonna be worth fighting

[@michaelorrett1737]

And there are a lot of sports players that try not to affect the umpires judgement by celebrating too soon as it’s kind of unsportsmanlike. I digress though

[@cuchullian321]

That's flawed logic. He probably knew the ball beat him there. If he was tagged, it was probably on his clothing. Which you don't feel. His surprise is more about the fact the ball beat him then whether he knew he was tagged or not.

[@Retired_Detective51]

cuchullian321 you absolutely can feel your clothes when they’re tagged.

[@macthepatriot1484]

Young Foolish Baseball, I love it! We got to get back the Boss Fight part in future Baseball Bits episodes though.

[@jro182]

The Pokémon game boy song in the background was the best part of this video. Obviously your analysis and fact provided are spot on (as always) but the Pokémon theme song is amazing.

[@user-mv6kb4kp1v]

I like this video because this video is like MLB TV show

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thank you!

[@goskateminnesota7256]

I think some Braves fans might be more pissed about a call at 1st base with Kent Hrbek and the Twins in the world series back in 91. Hrbek pulled Ron Gant off the bag and onto the ground. Ump called him out and the twins went on to win the world series.

[@bama-kid-1453]

Yeah that call was horrible

[@heijac2998]

Gives us twins fans a good laugh tho when we watch it back 😂

[@freeparking301]

Something something Lonnie Smith...something something...

[@TheTerranscout]

And pirates fans might be more pissed about Sid's slide....

[@ganondorfthegrey5325]

I love the music in your vids dude. Good stuff.

[@ygf377]

I think that the way lugo reacted to the call shows that he was out as if he did avoid the tag he would have been less surprised. However I can definitely agree that the call was closer than it seems

[@erikwebster1608]

This has always been my viewpoint. His body language tells the whole story, u don’t react like that if u know you weren’t tagged, you react like that if u know u WERE tagged

[@Combatant5]

Also possible he assumed because of how close it was he'd be incorrectly called for the tag and was surprised the call would be correct. If surprise can come from a bad call, it can also equally come from the correct one.

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@erikwebster1608He looks like he can't believe the guy missed the tag.

[@T43B1GD0G]

It's still not an obvious tag with every other camera angle

[@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990]

Zack Stout wind can also move a pant leg

[@Jon23189]

Look at the glove bend. Clear tag

[@AzureRaven2]

@@Jon23189 The glove bent because the catcher was literally holding the glove bent and then very quickly swipe his arm across. It's just not definitive, and he explains that.

[@NCA_Azzy]

Meals is legit the only one pretending he's safe. Runner, out. Catcher, out. Us in the stands, out. Announcers, out.

[@Cosmic_Cretin]

@@NCA_Azzy it was a different time dude, Baseball was all about gimmes back in the day, modern baseball has eliminated the neighborhood play but back in the day if you got beat to the plate or bag you were out, a glove/foot just had to be close enough. It was part of baseball culture for the longest time, If I got beat to the plate but didn't feel a tag I would assume I was still out because it was close enough and I got beat, regardless of whether I was actually tagged. Same goes for bases, fielders used to not even touch the bags, just as long as they were close enough and beat the runner he was called out, and everyone just accepted that. Its only recently with great video that full tags and base touches have to be made, so recent that sometimes runners think they are out because it was different when they grew up with gimme plays. When you had no good video, it was based on honour and if the play was close it was just a matter of who got there first.

[@Beenman2210]

I remember watching this game live I just assumed the ump was tired and wanted to go home lol

[@ldj7039]

Loving the GSC soundtrack in the background. You’ve earned yourself a subscriber.

[@mackickinback3649]

I expected this video to be interesting, but it was actually way more interesting than I thought it would be. Thank you for this one, it’s good

[@kablooey60]

I remember being like 7 years old awake in my parents room at 2 AM witnessing the end of it. I fell asleep multiple times throughout the game, but still woke up to the game being on. Wildest game of baseball I've ever witnessed.

[@willeodsson]

I turned the radio on while in bed during the 7th inning. When me dad told me to turn it off and go to sleep, I turned it down and stayed up, and boy am I glad I did! The Braves announcers were just as stunned! I can remember exactly how they summed it up: "He was thrown out, but he was safe!"

[@tomzaatar3532]

Really Excited to see new type of baseball content. Usually new things aren't this great!

[@norcross411]

I remember watching this entire game as a kid. For 12 years I have thought this call was so ludicrous but as a braves fan, in the moment I was in a combination of disbelief and joy, thinking we stole the game on this call. Amazing you did a whole video on it

[@sean9520]

I’ve watched all these baseball bits videos many times and I think this one stands as the funniest and best one. Haha Scott Proctor

[@davidgraney3413]

I'm a Bucos fan (one of the few of us lol) and I remember this game. I like 98% of the world lost my shit over this call until the post game when the ump talked about the play and it made sense but I was still salty.

[@joshuadoll9000]

I can't say for certain whether or not the call was correct, it looks way too close to call from the video, but I think it just goes to show how quick people and players can dismiss the tag. In a lot of people's minds it's all about the ball beating the player to the plate (which is certainly true when it's a forced play) when the tag is just as important. In Meals' shoes, I could definitely see there being a solid argument for a missed tag. I've certainly called some like that, much to the glee of the runner and the dismay of the infielder, but at the end of the day, it's a split second play that you get to see once. It can all happen so fast that there is always going to be some mistakes and there is going to be controversy around the call regardless of whether it is deemed the right call or the wrong call. Edit: I also agree that Meals shouldn't have apologized. He probably was pressured to by the MLB to do so and may have for his own guilty conscience. There are times where I have doubted my own calls, even when I was certain at the time I was making the right one. The next day, thinking about it again, can make you feel guilty about it, especially when it was the deciding factor in the game. It can be hard to shake that doubt sometimes and that may have been why he apologized, as well as the outrage that people had about the call. With that many people telling you that you were wrong, you may start to believe them, even if you were right. Everyone said it was so definitive because no one wanted to take a minute to look at it objectively and review the evidence. They probably wouldn't have come to the conclusion that it was 100% a missed tag, but I bet they wouldn't have come to the conclusion that it was a 100% clear as day tag either. The MLB and maybe even Meals himself were in damage control (as you stated) and just wanted to appease the fans. Maybe Meals truly believes he made the right call, but he had to apologize just to try and appease the fans and stop a riot from happening (figuratively speaking). I'm sure Meals' family as well as Meals probably received some nasty messages and maybe even a few threats. All it takes is for the majority of people to believe you made one wrong call and your credibility could be trashed (again regardless of whether it was actually correct or not) and the thousands of correct calls you made before are forgotten or called into question and any call you make afterwards may be questioned and not trusted. It really is a shit storm and that may have been what Meals was trying to avoid. I'm sure it was a big enough mess for Meals as it went down anyways, he probably didn't want the headache of standing by his call and trying to defend it.

[@Arman1lakha]

Bruh too long

[@jacobgill143]

Never knew about the relief pitcher eating it right out of the batter's box, so thank you for that! I mostly agree with everything. I think the one thing you could've touched on was the base runner's reaction and subsequent interview after the game. If I remember right, he never admitted to being tagged, but his reaction from the play wasn't exactly one where he believed himself that he never got tagged. Regardless, you are right that the call is actually much closer than anyone gives it credit for.

[@bubba200874426]

At the same time, if all the catcher got was a wrinkle of pants there wouldn't be anything to feel, and a professional baseball player would probably assume another professional baseball player didn't fuck up.

[@jakestine4753]

yeah, as a player running full tilt and then diving through someone else, there's no way Lugo knows whether he got tagged or just made contact with the catchers legs as he tries to block home. Sure he'd assume he got tagged because he knew the throw beat him - but not for feeling it. It's just the natural assumption because that's usually what happens when you get beat by the throw.

[@n16161]

This is an awesome video man!

[@stephenmason9527]

Best video yet, love the idea and the execution was top notch. About the call, it is at the very least plausible that the tag was not applied and so I absolve the umpire on those grounds. If he'd have given any other reason than that then no but even if he actually tagged him, as it appears he did, it was very brief

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thank you much. I really appreciate your thoughtful comments.

[@iankidd7225]

OMG Laughing so hard I was crying about Scott Proctor eating it at the end of your well crafted vid 😂

[@wsbill14224]

I remember hearing about this game on the radio the next day but I never saw it until now. It's hard to tell if the catcher made the tag or not. If he did, he barely touched him, and as he brought his arm up it was clear he was inches away. The ump had the best view and raised his left arm while the runner was arguing with him as if to say "You missed the tag!" That's how it looked to me. Good call ump!

[@jets4687]

Great video! You changed my mind on this call I always thought he messed up but now I'm not so sure.. and you're right if replay was available I think it wouldve stood for inconclusive evidence.

[@johnathanzielinski4084]

it’s so much closer than everyone makes it out to be. i’m glad to finally found someone who agrees with me

[@austincross3001]

Yeah, I watched this when it first aired (I was about fifteen). I always just chalked it up to Meals being tired and wanting to go home, but that camera angle from center really gave me a new perspective on it.

[@MithrandirGhost]

Im subscribing because of this video - when you laughed at the end I absolutely busted up and was like YUP i like this guy

[@jaredchacon2645]

OH MY GOD, HE MISSED THE TAG

[@kyledenecke3962]

Jared chacon no

[@bv6377]

@@kyledenecke3962 clearly missed it

[@blazeroosterYT]

Holy sh**

[@imbored2460]

He missed it

[@scory22]

Love the music you used in this vid, never thought I’d hear Pokémon music in a baseball analysis video.

[@drewseph8787]

There’s also the play where he was called out after the first baseman was 3 feet off the bag

[@zachkeene212]

Todd helton won a Grammy for his acting on that play😂

[@chromasis10]

This was really interesting and went into lots of depth

[@DaDitka]

This is definitely a very close one. Man, I don't know. But I want to thank you for this video, as it did give me a new perspective on the call. I honestly don't know if I agree with you or not, but you gave me something to think about. Thank you.

[@ryanvisbeck5867]

Easily one of the most enjoyable baseball videos I've ever seen. More like this!

[@FoolishBaseball]

Ryan Visbeck Thanks man. I have some ideas I‘m cooking up.

[@jacobbyrd8737]

I thought he was out based on his own reaction. He acted surprised that he got called safe

[@chaseplayz6069]

Really underrated for how much work he probably put in this video

[@julesthierry5529]

Man I'm late af but your editing is god tier I swear

[@whalesequence]

I thought the worst call was the infield fly in the braves cardinals wild card game

[@robertdouth8979]

I have a hard time calling that the worst call only because infield fly is a judgment call. I remember at the time it was hit I automatically though infield fly and at first it looked he was going to get it easily, then either the wind knocked it around a bunch or he never really had it, but the onus is on the umpire to call that kind of thing quickly to give runners a proper chance to either tag up or advance at their own risk.

[@brandongerber1999]

You mean the correct call in the Cardinals/Braves game? No where does it say an infield fly has to be in the infield.

[@deathbymonkey69]

Brandon Gerber that’s like saying there’s no written rule that boy scouts are only for boys. It’s in the name. BOY scouts. INFIELD fly.

[@zeke1220]

@@deathbymonkey69 Isn't "Boy Scouts" being changed to "Scouts BSA" and admitting girls starting next month?

[@coolguy02536]

You can clearly see that at the start of the video...

[@olemissman2012]

This might be my bias as a Braves fan talking but I will to this day believe that he had a ghost tag on him. I thought he was out originally and Jerry Meals blew it but once I saw the second angle the broadcast showed (in real time cause I stayed up to watch the ending) I was like “Wow he really might’ve missed that tag.”

[@iamoctonate]

Its a pretty sussy tag at best. It really gives off two kids playing tag and one kid just barely touching the other kid's shirt and claiming they tagged them squarely.

[@martoto77]

Serves the catcher right for doing that high follow through action thing on the tag. Just get the man and don’t give the ump a chance to miss your “tag”.

[@Darthtanos]

i *THINK* that might have been to avoid a collision that could have jarred the ball loose, resulting in a safe call anyway. because that's a pretty common thing, at least in my admittedly limited experience.

[@martoto77]

@@Darthtanos I think it’s just an affectation that’s intended to make the tag look cool.

[@Darthtanos]

@@martoto77 catchers are trained to make sure they don't lose the ball in that kind of situation, that's why when it's not their body being involved, they don't really try for collisions in general.

[@georgeramirez2099]

I'm living for the pokemon music in this video. Great job 👌🏾

[@gatesofosiris4756]

Love this video. I always thought he missed the tag.

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

I figure it's bound to happen, after watching 6 hours of baseball. You're so wore out, you're bound to just miss the call.

[@patrickperry8951]

Looked like he missed the tag

[@nathanrobinson1099]

He did not, he tagged him on the leg.

[@BollocksUtwat]

@@nathanrobinson1099 Grainy video is more definitive than umpire eyes 2 feet away? I dunno.

[@RatatRatR]

That's like saying umpires never get anything wrong. Of course they do.

[@skylarruprecht1257]

Eh, you can definitely see the tag, and in fact, there appears to be two distinct tags, one on the leg, and one when he swipes up afterward. This would be a bad call if not reversed under modern standards

[@charziard35]

I love how you use Pokémon music in the back of your videos, it works surprisingly well

[@purple12701]

Bailey, I mean this in the nicest way possible, THANK GOD YOU UPGRADED THE MICROPHONE. Regardless, still an awesome video

[@blindingshadows2338]

love the old Pokemon music in the background, and I remember staying up and watching this game. As a braves fan its one of the few times a call actually went our way.

[@launchbase4944]

one of VERY few, yeah

[@graysonbyass-rascoe4326]

It was worng you guys have much less pain than us pirates fans

[@ryanpacatte6054]

I would actually think he was safe if it wasn’t for the shocked reaction from the runner who scored. Of course the runner could’ve been shocked he missed the tag but I doubt it

[@Imugi007]

He would've felt the catchers arm hit him because it did, but the glove never did. He might've thought the arm hitting him was the glove.

[@TintagelEmrys]

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the time, they fill in the blanks. The ball beat him there, it came down, he felt something touch him. To him, it matched everything he would expect from a tag, he probably wasn't looking at the glove.

[@brandonwade8094]

Man, this channel is great

[@YESMajor]

Earned a subscription my guy Great Vid

[@JB77776]

In 2021 we have instant replay and still can't make the right calls.

[@MarkyMark15]

Facts

[@bigcod14]

Update the call last night was worse than history Braves phillies

[@michaelingram6047]

I've seen this in SO many compilations, and I always had the same idea that you did! I would always say "He whiffed the tag!" But NOO... I guess.

[@rsswilliams2866]

thank you for being brave enough to address this matter. you risked alot.

[@DjDobleU809]

This music made me feel like I was about to take on the Elite Four..

[@Stooch]

who remembers staying up watching this? I was there but left in the 13th inning

[@KennethSee]

I love the aesthetic and the info!

[@rosenscharf]

Love your videos!

[@-Jansen155]

Wow, amazing vid. Fighting for the truth 6 years later. I hope that replay doesn't completely take away from us analyzing things like this. Calls can still be gotten wrong because replay needs to prove the call is conclusively wrong to overturn it. I would be interested in vids like this of replay era plays.

[@peterelder9894]

As a Pirates fan this was the worst moment of my fan career

[@Speedster___]

This is FBs first Base Bit video. This is excellent

[@4mjustin]

wow, great video , subbed for sure