MANFRED GETS HIS WISH: THE ROBOT UMPIRE ERA BEGINS!

We've been talking about Robot umpires since 2019 at Bleeding Yankee Blue....and now it is finally happening. Robot umpires are getting a call up to the big leagues next season. Rob Manfred's newest Frankenstein experiment is finally coming to fruition.

So love it or hate it, it doesn't matter you better start wrapping your head around it. Yesterday, MLB's 11-man competition committee that was created in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement approved the use of ABS, also known as the Automated Ball / Strike system. MLB started testing it in the minor league systems back in 2019 and it has expanded throughout the system over the last few years. Now it is graduating to the big leagues. The 11-man committee that voted on this comprised of six owners, four active players and one active umpire. One of the four active players on the committee was our own Austin Slater.

So how does it work, exactly? Stadiums will have cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. The strike zone will stay the same, so don't freak out about changes. The height of every player will be measured in Spring Training to determine their individual strike zone and to eliminate any confusion, the strike zone we all see on our television broadcasts will be the official ABS strike zone. Now you can play umpire (more than you already do) and you won't have a different vantage point as we do right now. That's refreshing.

At first, it sounded techy and maybe a little confusing but it could be a game changer. Each team gets two challenges per game (note: a team retains its challenge if it is successful), plus one in each extra inning if they have used their challenges. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap and help from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone is shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the decision.

This will be MLB’s first major rule change since making adjustments in 2024. Previous changes included a pitch clock, larger bases, and restrictions on defensive shifts and pitcher disengagements like pickoff attempts. Those changes I wasn't a fan of, I'm still not but the ABS strike zone wins me over the more and more I write about it. Oh and the more I have to watch terrible calls made by C.B. Bucknor and Dan Iassogna the more I want to see ABS in action.

Of there's one other reason I am warming to this idea....it should cut down on ejections. MLB said over 60% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year were related to arguing balls and strikes. This stat includes ejections for derogatory comments, throwing equipment while protesting calls and inappropriate conduct. 

So that means we should see less of Aaron Boone throwing temper tantrums on the field. If you are making a pro and con list that should make you happy. I'm tired of watching his circus act on the field and bad umpiring. I guess I am turning a new leaf, are you?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THAT MOMENT WHEN CC SABATHIA & AARON BOONE DON'T AGREE!

Seriously, Casey wasn't joking when he said THE BASEBALL WORLD JUST FEELS RIGHT TODAY because it's true. The awful Angel Hernandez is FINALLY gone! Good riddance. The game suddenly improved just like that.

I'm ecstatic! I love it, and so does CC Sabathia. I was anxiously awaiting a reaction from him knowing just how passionate he felt about Hernandez and his piss poor umpiring skills. He did take to X to post the Looney Tunes outro where Porky Pig says, "that's all folks!" and it was perfect. For the record, CC is one of my all-time favorite Yankees because he kept it real, and he stuck up for the guys on his team. He was baseball's version of an enforcer in hockey, and I DIG THAT! So, when I think about how much he REALLY disliked Hernandez, this is the moment I reflect back on:

That's as real as it gets AND he still kept it classy. When asked "what would you say to him?" he kept it as simple as that's a conversation between them. He didn't take the bait and give that soundbite he really wanted to give, and he still made his point. We know what he was thinking without him having to say it. It's powerful.

It's not like CC was alone, either. Not only do baseball fans dislike the guy, but so do other players. He was the villain of baseball who couldn't do his job well but was protected by the powerful umpires union. He was protected and hated for too long.

At least, sane individuals believe that. Then you have complete Baboons like Aaron Boone who go to his defense, read more HERE. Another bonehead comment, but I really shouldn't be surprised. Boone said, "I think he’s wrongly been a poster child (and) can be a punching bag of officiating." He also said his treatment had "sometimes been unfair and over the top." 

I guess Baboonie doesn't look at enough stats because anyone who has seen umpscorecards.com knows he was the poster child because he earned that title. He was bad at his job! So there has been nothing unfair and over the top about how he is treated or perceived. Stats don't lie, Baboonie.

This was long overdue. It should've happened a LONG time ago but I guess better late than never. I really don't care WHY the sudden decision was made but the rumor is, MLB and the union came up with a settlement to get him to retire in the season rather than after, read more HERE. Even if that story is completely false, I couldn't care less. He was terrible at his job and no one should get to keep their job if they are terrible at it. 

Something had to happen, MLB needs this. Honestly though, this should just be the START of it. Hernandez wasn't the only awful umpire. Let's really make an impact and clean house by giving C.B. Bucknor and Laz Diaz the boot, too!

Happy "not forced" retirement or whatever you want to call it, Hernandez. You won't be missed.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

TINO & SWISHER CALL OUT MLB'S BAD UMPIRING & I'M HERE FOR IT!

I've been thinking a lot about Aaron Judge and his recent game ejection. One of the biggest names in baseball who plays the game the right way and with no ego tossed by another bad umpiring call. The umpire controversy is not going away and not getting better. In fact, it's getting worse.

Almost two years ago, I wrote about MLB's experimentation outside of traditional umpiring in RUMOR: ROBOTS ARE COMING TO A MLB STADIUM NEAR YOU. MLB is still experimenting with an electronic strike zone in Triple-A this year where hitters and pitchers can challenge balls and strikes. Even if that isn't the answer, something has to be done about the controversy that has passionate fans everywhere riled up. Even some of our Yankee favorites think change is long overdue, read more HERE.

Anytime Nick Swisher and Tino Martinez have anything to say, I am going to listen intently. I appreciated Tino's passion when he called Judge's ejection "terrible. Aaron Judge never loses his temper, and he didn’t in that situation either. He walked away; he wasn’t in the umpire’s face. He walked away like he should’ve done, and he put him out, which was a little too much by the umpire." As passionate as Tino was Swisher took it a step further and said "He didn't say anything. He said, ‘You were s***, you've been bad all day,’ which was true. I watched the game." 

So MLB is at an impasse, and Rob Manfred needs to do something. When you have veterans like Max Scherzer who have influence with the MLBPA and respected former players vocalizing how they feel, it can't be ignored. It needs to be fixed!

It won't be an easy fix, but I think the "ranking" of these bad umpires with consequences is a good place to start. Fans know there is a human element to this game. Nothing will be perfect, bad calls will be made, but it doesn't have to be so frequent. Those who have good stats and accuracy, get to stay at the big-league level. Those who don't perform, get sent down to the minors. That is how you get more credibility back in this game. It weeds out the undesirables like Angel Hernandez and C.B. Bucknor (amongst others) out of important games.

If it were only that simple though. The umpires have their own union just like players have the MLBPA. Unions are very powerful, and the umpire's union is no exception. Obviously, unions are going to act in what they feel is in the best interest of their workers AND it's not like there is a big supply of MLB umpires. 

No matter what, there needs to be some sort of accountability for the sake of this game. While Manfred sleeps at the wheel, MLB's credibility suffers. I hate turning on a baseball game and seeing the same bad umpires all the time, so I appreciate Tino and Swisher's candor. 

Something's gotta give.... before I write about this again in another two years and it's worse. What's it going to take?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj