News Summary: A-Rod’s homer an instant replay first
Alex Rodriguez, a Yankee’s third baseman, had set up a milestone of homers. But there was a disputed call, it was called by Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon. After using the latest technology of an instant replay. The crew of umpires judged that it was a homer.
ST. PETERSBURG — More than three months after Alex Rodriguez lost a home run on a disputed call, Major League umpires were able to use the new instant-replay system to ensure the third baseman was credited with one in the Bombers’ 8-4 victory Wednesday.
“There’s probably 800 players in the big leagues, and the odds of me being involved were probably 2-1. It’s funny,” Rodriguez said. “Somehow I find myself in those situations all the time. It was just nice to get the right call and get a fair ruling.”
Facing Rays right-hander Troy Percival, Rodriguez hit a drive to left field in the ninth inning at Tropicana Field that struck the D-ring catwalk high above the domed stadium, with a home run signaled as the immediate call by third-base umpire Brian Runge.
With catcher Dioner Navarro protesting, Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon emerged from the dugout as Rodriguez rounded the bases. He requested that crew chief Charlie Reliford, the second-base umpire, look at a replay using the new system, which was implemented on Thursday but had not yet been used in a game.
“We all believed it was a home run,” Reliford said. “But since the technology is in place, we made the decision to use the technology and go look at the replays. And the replays we reviewed were conclusive that the call we made was correct.”
“It was interesting. I didn’t see [Maddon] react right away,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “I think he reacted when Navarro reacted. That made me think it was fair. I figured it was a home run; Alex figured it was a home run. I didn’t have any doubt there was going to be a home run.”
