MLB Umpire Caught on Hot Mic Pleading for ‘Please Be a Strike’ After Catcher Issues ABS Challenge
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Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball Striking System (ABS) arguably had its best moment Saturday afternoon in spring training.
In a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, Robbie Ray was facing Sean Mooney, who was at the plate as the tying run in a 3-0 game and an 0-2 count with two outs in the top of the fourth.
Mooney took a low sinker that plate umpire Bill Miller called ball, but catcher Patrick Bailey questioned the call.
Only a batter, catcher or pitcher can challenge decisions, and the challenge must be almost immediate. Each team receives two and keeps the correct challenges.
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MLB umpire Bill Miller during the first inning of a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Reggie Hildred/USA Today Sports)
Miller announced to the crowd that the Giants were challenging the call to get out of the inning, but accidentally left his microphone on, causing a hilarious faux pas.
“Please strike,” Miller said, before quickly realizing that everyone had just heard him. Bailey also had a pretty hysterical reaction.
Miller was actually rooting for his decision to be wrong, but it was over 100 degrees in Scottsdale, so maybe Miller just wanted to cool down.
MLB umpire Bill Miller during a New York Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
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Miller did not get his wish. His decision was correct by three-tenths of an inch. Two pitches later, Mooney struck out swinging and everyone was able to calm down for a moment.
The ABS system was implemented in spring training last year after years of experimentation in the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League, and will finally be carried over to the regular season this year.
The system provides some interesting nuances because the strike zones will be based on the exact height of each hitter, causing many changes to the listed measurements of various players.
Home plate umpire Bill Miller gestures during the tenth inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. (Darren Yamashita/Image Images)
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The Giants will host the New York Yankees on Wednesday, while the other 28 teams will open their seasons the following day.
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