Calls for robot umpires grew a bit louder on Sunday after a controversial strikeout call on Alec Bohm during the Phillies’ clash against the Twins.
Bohm came to the plate facing a full count with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, a crucial spot for Philadelphia, who trailed 2–0 at the time.
The payoff pitch from lefty Caleb Thielbar appeared to be well inside, and Bohm began to trot towards first base before realizing home plate umpire Alex Mackay had rung him up on strikes.
The called third strike left Bohm enraged, as he slammed his bat to the ground in disgust before shouting towards Mackay, who went on to eject the 27-year-old.
Alec Bohm was ejected after this and who could blame him 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/hi544DlI7m
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 13, 2023
Bohm was rightfully upset with the call, which replay confirmed was off the plate inside. Fans on social media were enraged by the missed call from the umpire, taking to Twitter to voice their displeasure.
I’ll say it again Umpires bring nothing to the game of baseball in this day and age except for bad calls lol we have Computers that show exactly where the ball was https://t.co/WYIBsIXiZU
— CliffNotez (@_YoCliff) August 13, 2023
that was horrendous
— alex (@highIightheaven) August 13, 2023
Catcher didn’t even frame it right. Egregious call https://t.co/y1fRKYVR1V
— Josh Myers (@TJMyers04) August 14, 2023
Just not a strike. Awful awful awful https://t.co/iS0VDxhWDd
— Matt Hartman (@MHartman26) August 13, 2023
This is so embarrassing for baseball. https://t.co/JDpvoIpb0C
— Ceazey (Card Life) (@ceazey) August 13, 2023
This call changed the game smh https://t.co/TlIxuDDQeO
— 👨🏼🦲Jeff✌🏼☝🏼🖐🏼 (@Philly_Bul215) August 13, 2023
He ain’t wrong. That ball is nowhere near the plate.
— Him Duncan (@BigItaly42) August 13, 2023
Relax. AI and robots will not take our jobs…unless you’re an MLB umpire. The sooner the better. https://t.co/RhM68rH6Nu
— Ryan Stauffer (@ryans_wx) August 13, 2023
Seventh inning, bases loaded, two outs, down by two runs, Bohm the leading Phillies RBI hitter up, and the umpire blows a call like this and then ejects Bohm? The two pitches before weren't even close to the plate. And Harper was on deck. The umpire Alex McKay should be ejected. https://t.co/zfl9Ikj6NQ
— Median Politics (@MedianPolitics) August 13, 2023
