(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Robot umpires, a phrase that actually means an electronic strike zone, are coming to MLB, sooner or later. The pitchers throw too hard with too much break, and too much money is at stake for 60-year-old guys to be deciding what pitches are balls or strikes.
I’m not even saying it’s their fault. It’s a hard job to call balls and strikes on 92mph sliders that break 14 inches. But, it seems like they are worse at it than ever, and their incompetence was on display.
Let’s look at some of the highlights.
The Yankees and Giants kicked off the season with yesterday’s first game, and umpire Laz Diaz had to let everyone know who is in charge.
Welcome to the Laz Diaz show pic.twitter.com/Xhyls4DjGw
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) March 30, 2023
Just bring in the robot ups already. Thatโs terrible
— Brennan (@BrennanWard9707) March 30, 2023
In classic Aaron Judge fashion, he responded to a bad call with a home run.
The first pitch to Aaron Judge of the 2023 season
And a moment later, the best way to respond to a Laz Diaz ump show pic.twitter.com/BEziUQJo4Y
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) March 30, 2023
There was also this pitch by Marcus Stroman that was somehow called a strike. Before Marcus Stroman finds this and accuses of some bizarre stuff, the Duke alum did pitch a gem on Thursday.
Ump Showโs already in midseason form๐ญ pic.twitter.com/Fxx5xDm5AJ
— ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ง (@MkeBrewMike) March 30, 2023
But, the worst call of the day, and it could end up being one of the worst all season, was this offering by Adam Cimber.
Welcome to the 2023 ump show pic.twitter.com/Gb9BwqfZGw
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) March 30, 2023
My goodness. that’s not even close. It was over six inches outside! MLB has to do something about these umpires.