Philadelphia – A day later brought more anger.
Manager Clint Hurdle, feeling his team was the victim of injustice on an erased home run, campaigned Tuesday for baseball to use instant replay. Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations in the commissioner’s office, expects the issue to be discussed at the November general managers’ meetings in Orlando, Fla.
“I am sure it will be on the agenda,” Watson said.
But if it mirrors the past two years, it will die a quick death. There has been little support to use technology even for a limited scope involving fan interference and home-run rulings. For the measure to pass, it would require approval from the players association and the commissioner’s office. Commissioner Bud Selig has repeatedly objected to removing the human element from calls.
Hurdle said he understood Selig’s position, but respectfully disagreed. Admittedly, the sting lingered longer for the Rockies because Yorvit Torrealba’s grand slam-turned-double marked the third time this season Colorado has had a home run ruled a double.
“You want to have respect for the game, the commissioner’s office and the umpires, but I think there comes a point with the technology we have that something should change,” Hurdle said.
“There have been identifiable games jeopardized this season and you’ve see numerous calls just missed. It is one the most difficult calls in baseball, so why are we not giving them every opportunity to get the call right?”
A primary objection to replay involves the pace of the game, something baseball has worked hard to increase. A replay and subsequent confrontation would drag out an inning. Hurdle suggested that a manager be banned from arguing a reviewed play. The Rockies took the only recourse available, lodging a complaint with Mike Port, who oversees baseball’s umpires.
“We have had a lot of calls not go our way on home runs,” Garrett Atkins said, “and we haven’t seen it happen once to the other team.”
Bautista gets nod today
It lacks the sex appeal of MTV’s VMAs. But there was a winner announced in the TBAs. Rockies reliever Denny Bautista will start today, asked to work two innings or 40 pitches.
“It’s all about locating my fastball,” Bautista said.
Hurdle said Mark Redman isn’t starting because that would be three consecutive left-handed starters against the Phillies, who have hit them hard this season.
“I am disappointed,” Redman said. “I hope I get an opportunity to start at some point.”
It’s possible Redman could pitch the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Dodgers, though Elmer Dessens will get first crack if healthy.
