Conflicts between the umpire and players are nothing new in baseball. This time, the San Francisco Giants, who have been struggling in Major League Baseball, are at the center of attention. The Giants will not want to remember Thursday night following their 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the way MLB umpire Phil Cuzzi became involved in the situation—something the Giants were not expecting—attracted a lot of attention. What actually transpired, though?
Jordan Hicks, SF Giants pitcher, was involved in a heated discussion with Cuzzi, the home plate umpire, immediately after he had given up five earned runs, four walks, and five strikeouts. But it didn’t stop there! Cuzzi soon began conversing with Jung Hoo Lee, an outfielder for the Giants. But why?
Lee took a pitch near the bottom of the strike zone in the ninth inning and gave his helmet a single tap. The confusion began immediately after that, as umpire Cuzzi thought Lee might be contesting a call, which was not the case. Lee, however, through interpreter Justin Han said, “Everybody that watches Giants games probably knows that every pitch that I go to, I adjust my helmet. It’s every pitch.” So, it’s basically his own style of adjusting his helmet, and nothing was intended to challenge a call.
Lee further continued, “I told him that I don’t speak English and the umpire said something, and I kept saying, ‘I don’t speak English. I think that’s what happened. The umpire had a sensitive game. Probably, that’s what happened in the game today.” The umpire was unable to comprehend Lee’s language or the meaning behind his helmet tapping, which is how the misunderstanding occurred. In MLB, players use that gesture to challenge calls, but this is not applicable during the regular season.
The umpire confronted Lee, telling him not to make that gesture, which Lee denied was meant as a challenge. However, it might have been the language barrier that caused such a misunderstanding. They surely wouldn’t want to repeat the same thing, right? Definitely! However, Giants manager Bob Melvin had his say on the matter, offering an explanation of what happened.
Giants’ manager and star clear the misunderstanding
Manager Melvin clarified the situation immediately following the altercation between the Giants’ pitchers and umpire Cuzzi. However, the second altercation between Lee and the umpire was more significant. Melvin understood that just as the pitch bordered the strike zone, it was called strike two by the umpire, and Lee unintentionally tapped his helmet. Lee received a strong warning not to make the same error again after the umpire assumed it was a protest against the call. But it wasn’t a first instance–previously, Phillies star Alec Bohm also did something similar, showing his disagreement with the umpire.
Meanwhile, it also depends on the temperament and nature of the umpire, who makes the decisions. However, alongside the Giants manager, Lee said through his interpreter, “I guess I have to work on not making misunderstandings like this. There is no challenge in the major leagues so I couldn’t challenge it. But the umpire was having a sensitive game. He’s a human being and can make mistakes.“
That’s true! Umpires are also human beings, and a single mistake on their part can certainly be forgiven. However, it is also true that Umpire Cuzzi has a reputation for making wise choices. That might be the reason why he pays such close attention to details. On the other hand, manager Melvin’s interfering in the matter is something he has done before. He was once ejected from the game after rushing from the dugout to confront the umpire in a heated exchange of words. So, what happens now?
What’s your opinion about the misunderstanding? Let us know in the comments section below.
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