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Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why is everyone talking about Laz Diaz's strike call from Rays vs Rangers
Why is everyone talking about Laz Diaz's strike call from Rays vs Rangers (Image via Getty) A Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, June 4, 2025, turned into a major talking point—not for a great play, but for a shocking mistake by veteran umpire Laz Diaz. The game, held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, saw Diaz make a strike call that fans and experts are calling the worst in modern baseball history. Laz Diaz makes worst strike call in MLB history during Rays vs Rangers game In the bottom of the eighth inning, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jake Mangum was at bat facing Texas Rangers pitcher David Robertson. With a full count and two outs, the pitch thrown was far outside the strike zone—by nearly 7 inches. However, Laz Diaz called it a third strike, ending the at-bat. According to Umpire Auditor, a platform that tracks missed calls by umpires, the pitch was exactly 6.83 inches outside the official strike zone. This now holds the record for the worst strike call ever recorded by the platform since it started tracking data in 2014. The controversial moment quickly spread across social media and baseball websites. Many compared Laz Diaz to former umpire Ángel Hernández, who was often criticized for similar mistakes before retiring earlier this year. The Rays won the game 5-1, but the missed call became the bigger story of the night. Also Read: Insider Reveals Rangers GM Chris Drury Is Actively Exploring Trade Options Fans react to Laz Diaz's strike call and officials face pressure The reaction from players, fans, and sports commentators was immediate. Several well-known baseball analysts called out the call live during post-game coverage. One MLB broadcaster on Bally Sports said, 'That was not just a bad call—it was embarrassing.' After the game, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash did not directly criticize the umpire but said, 'We've got to trust that calls are being made with fairness. Everyone saw that pitch.' Jake Mangum, who was the batter at the moment, kept his comments short. 'I'll let the replay speak for itself,' he said during a locker room interview. The MLB has not yet commented on the situation. However, many fans are now calling for Laz Diaz to be removed from future games, especially after setting such a negative record. The incident has started fresh conversations about using automated strike zones or robot umpires in the future. As of now, no formal disciplinary action has been announced.
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Walker Buehler, Alex Cora tossed after testy exchange with umpire
BOSTON — In his first start back from the injured list, Boston Red Sox starter Walker Buehler was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes. The argument came after what appeared to be a missed strike call in an at-bat against Juan Soto. With one out in the third inning, Buehler threw a 1-0 pitch to Soto that looked to be clearly within the strike zone, but it was called a ball by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook. Sooo…. that was a strike right — NESN (@NESN) May 20, 2025 Buehler walked off the mound and appeared to say, 'Buddy, that was right down the middle, right down the middle.' Estabrook immediately took exception and pulled his mask off, walking toward the mound and pointing aggressively at Buehler. He appeared to tell Buehler to 'get back on the mound' before quickly throwing Buehler out, as catcher Carlos Narváez ran out to intervene. Advertisement After Buehler was tossed, manager Alex Cora walked out to the mound and began a heated exchange with Estabrook, who quickly threw him out, too. Cora continued yelling at Estabrook and at one point, crew chief Laz Diaz had to hold Cora back before Cora eventually retired to the dugout. In the dugout, an angry Cora slammed the bullpen phone, breaking the cover. Bench coach Ramón Vázquez took over for Cora as manager, the second night in a row that Vazquez managed the team. Cora missed Monday's game to be at his daughter's graduation from Boston College. The early exit for Buehler will stress an already tired Boston staff. Buehler had been on the IL since May 2 with shoulder bursitis. He'd thrown 52 pitches over 2 1/3 innings, with two walks and four strikeouts before the ejection. Brennan Bernardino took over for Buehler out of the depleted Red Sox bullpen. After a short start on Sunday from Brayan Bello, long reliever Sean Newcomb threw 79 pitches over 4 2/3 innings in relief. On Monday, starter Hunter Dobbins threw just 4 2/3 innings and the Red Sox needed four relievers to pitch the final 4 1/3 innings in a 3-1 win. This was Buehler's second career ejection. His first came when he was pitching for the Dodgers on Aug. 20, 2021, also against the Mets. It was Cora's 18th career ejection as a manager and his first since Sept. 22, 2024 vs. Minnesota.
