It began with a called third strike — for the pitch that barely flirted with the outside edge of the strike zone. Cameras caught the batter staring in disbelief, and commentators echoed loudly: “And that is strike three. And that one was outside the zone. And PCA is frustrated.” It quickly became the spark that lit a wildfire. And the individual behind it all? Umpire Doug Eddings.
Within minutes, Eddings was not just trending, he was the story. “Never a good sign when a home plate umpire’s name is trending,” posted Bleacher Nation on X and you can not deny it. Eddings was behind the plate for the Cubs-Tigers battle and it was not just one call he made — it was his full performance that was in question. Fans were not having it.
Never a good sign when a home plate umpire’s name is trending.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2025
Pete Crow-Armstrong, a rising MVP candidate and All-Star hopeful, was not spared from the situation either. After getting rung up on a questionable strike call in his previous at-bat, PCA went down looking again, and this time he was fed up, as he gave Eddings an earful on his way back to the dugout.
However, the star did not let the frustration linger. In a perfect reaction, PCA came forward in the seventh and crushed a leadoff solo homer to right field, providing a moment of redemption.
Then, veteran Ian Happ also fell victim to the umpire’s expanding strike zone. He got punched out on a pitch clearly off the plate. It was not an isolated instance — it was a pattern.
As the game proceeded, it became clear this was not just a fan complaint. Some MLB insiders also highlighted their concerns. Jon Heyman quoted a complaint from David Kaplan on X, highlighting that Eddings’ performance could be a vital instance of why robo-umps are needed.
Jesse Rogers, too, highlighted the Cubs dugout’s vocal frustrations, noting that the umpire had called a third strike on Kyle Tucker without checking with the base umpire.
This was not a blown call in isolation. It was a performance so disjointed that fans and analysts alike are now asking for real transformation.
Fans ask for MLB’s accountability
The first reaction came with a plea: “@MLB please do something! We dealt with Angel Hernandez for far too long. Do not allow Eddings to become the new face of umpires, influencing the play of the game. #dobetter.” It was not just a complaint — it was a reference to history.
Angel Hernández was long viewed as the face of erratic umpiring. For instance, despite playing just 10 games in 2023, Hernandez missed 161 calls as per Umpire Auditor. Then, in April 2024, he called three strikes on pitches and all were outside the zone, containing a strikeout that was 6.78 inches outside the plate. The numbers are not limited and the fans are terrified that Eddings is next in line. Games can not afford to hinge on someone’s inconsistency behind the plate.
Another fan’s reaction cut deeper: “In almost any other career performance, this bad would get you terminated. He should be suspended pending an eye exam and investigation into sports betting.” Brutal? Yes. But hey, understandable. The fear of the fan is real.
MLB declared earlier this year that it terminated Pat Hoberg for violating MLB’s gambling rules. The decision was made in 2024 and was upheld after the appeal process. So, with gambling scandals rattling the sport, this fan’s speculation highlights a real concern: when officiating crosses a line, integrity questions are not far behind.
Another fan reacted with sarcasm-drenched frustration: “With the news of robot umpires for next season, today’s home plate umpire goes full on John Cena to ruin the game before he heads home on early retirement.” It is a fact. MLB will propose an automated ball-strike challenge system for 2026.
As per The Athletic, Rob Manfred has the votes he needs to get it adopted next year. We got an idea of the technology in select Cactus and Grapefruit League games this spring. Performances like this only further highlight the necessity to have this oversight on umpires.
One netizen did not bother with finesse, just calling it how they saw it: “He’s terrible. Don’t know where the MLB finds these bums at.” Undeniably resonant. It highlights the larger frustration that MLB looks to rotate the same problematic umpires without accountability.
However, perhaps the most vital reaction came from a fan who clearly knew their history: “AJ’s buddy from the 2005 World Series.” This was a callback to an infamous moment in Doug Eddings’s career. During Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, the umpire reversed a strikeout call mid-play, enabling A.J. Pierzynski to reach base. Fast forward to 2025 — same umpire and same controversy.
From sarcastic memes to legitimate concerns related to game integrity, the reaction to Eddings’s latest outing highlights a tipping point for MLB. The calls for reform are not whispers — they are roars. If MLB is serious, accountability behind the plate is a top priority. Fans deserve better.
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