The walk-off was the win of choice last night around MLB. Not only did the Yankees get their 14th walk-off win of the season, but several other teams, including the Red Sox, also won in dramatic, final at-bat fashion.The Red Sox win, against the Angels, was a basically a gift, and I'm not talking about the umpires blowing the ball/strike call during Nick Green's at-bat. The gift came when Juan Rivera failed to hustle when "attempting" to catch Alex Gonzalez's pop fly.
But Angels closer Brian Fuentes didn't see it that way. He chose to talk about the umpires:
"...I know he didn't mean to miss a call. It's either a human mistake or they're scared. Maybe it's coincidence, maybe it's not. Especially here and some other places, they seem timid to make a call. I don't know why; it's just the way it is. I've heard it from other guys. He made the call. He'll have to live with it..." [MLB.com ]
So Fuentes feels that umpires are afraid to make a correct call against the Red Sox in Fenway Park because of the aura and mystique of Fenway Park and/or because of the potential to be booed by the fans there? Really, Brian? And other guys feel the same way? Really?
I'm sorry Brian, but I don't think that aura and mystique (if they exist) can cause umpires to suddenly become afraid to make correct calls during a baseball game. Major League umpires are grown men with many years of experience, who will not let the environment they are working in affect their ability to do their job.
I think it is safe to say that the Angels, and especially Juan Rivera, are affected more by the aura and mystique of Fenway Park than any umpire can ever be. Look in the mirror, Brian.
Bernadette
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