There are moments in baseball where the tension does not just build—it boils. One moment, fans ride the high of extra innings, hang onto every pitch, and the next, confusion becomes chaos. And there stood Terry Francona, who has almost experienced everything related to this game. But he was probably unprepared for how this late-night drama would unfold on the Cincinnati Reds’ field. What began as a tight contest ended in controversy.
It all unraveled in the bottom of the 11th inning during a nail-biter against the Braves. The team had just about clawed their way through a tense game, only to have their scopes missed by a questionable call at second base. Blake Dunn, looking to steal second with two outs, was called out on a tag by Ozzie Albies. However, for others, it was a blatant obstruction. Abbie’s knee was planted in front of the base before the ball arrived.
Now, it is just the kind of game the league specifically told umpires to crack down on last season. Yet, the face with the final say—umpire Alex MacKay from second base—stood firm. The Reds did throw a challenge, but the review upheld the call. That is when Terry Francona decided to come forward.
Francona stormed onto the field and looked for answers; we can say, justice. What did he get instead? A ticket off the team.
However, this is where the situation gets spicy. Charlie Goldsmith mentioned that Francona later said: “I was talking to Alan Porter because the kid who made the call walked away from me. I said I deserved an explanation. He said I will have to throw you out. I said go ahead.”
That was it. “…the kid who made the call” quickly became legendary among Reds fans. Plus, it was Francona’s way of highlighting what others think is part of a larger issue in MLB: Inexperience and inconsistency among umpires. And the worst part is, he did not realize he had been ejected at first.
Terry Francona on the ejection: “I was talking to (crew chief) Alan Porter because the kid who made the call walked away from me. I said I deserved an explanation. He said I’ll have to throw you out. I said go ahead.”
“When I went out there, I never saw him (toss me). I went…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 9, 2025
“When I went out there, I never saw him. I went back to the dugout. I actually saw the home plate umpire. I thought he went down to ask him that and I saw him shake his head. I did not know,” Francona added.
That is frustrating. And fans, commentators, and the MLB rulebook saw it. Still, somehow, the call stood, and not only did it cost the Reds a vital baserunner, it probably cost them the game. And as expected, fans are not happy about it!
Fuming Reds fans: The betrayal felt personal
The Reds faithful did not just take the controversial finish lying down. They took to social media and lit up the timeline with frustration. From backlashing the league’s rule enforcement to slamming the umpiring crew itself, the fans’ reactions painted a crystal-clear image: MLB’s credibility just took a serious hit in Cincinnati.
One highlighted the absurdity with razor-sharp clarity. “This is the most Major League Baseball thing ever. They come up with a rule that says you can’t not block the bag with your knee. The player blocks the bag with his knee. MLB says nah, you are still out.” MLB’s latest point of focus—shaped to crack down on issues at the bases—was about to make things clearer. However, it has done the opposite. On paper, MLB proposes to stop fielders from utilizing their bodies to illegally block runners from the bag. While the rule’s wording did not transform, its interpretation did, leaning toward stricter enforcement. That’s something fans actually saw when Lindor was flagged for impeding a runner at second, despite making a tag attempt. However, in the Reds-Braves game, when Albies clearly blocked Blake Dunn’s path with his knee, MLB swallowed the whistle.
And so came the targets against the officiating team. “That entire crew needs to be investigated and suspended. They are a disgrace to @MLB.” While it could sound rough, details matter. The umpiring crew did not just miss the obstruction— they punished Francona for standing up to raise questions. And add to that – the call cost the Reds the game. Accountability is a two-way street. So, when umpires blow game-defining calls with zero transparency, fans will ask for answers.
But not every fan reaction was all fire. Some reacted with humor. One comment read, “The kid. That is an incredibly excellent insult.” It truly was! Francona did not throw a tantrum. He just referred to umpire Alex MacKay as “the kid.” And it was a mic drop moment. MLB is defined by professionalism. However, mistakes from umpires are not new. In the 2025 season itself, several instances of missed calls have been identified – a reported 1014 missed calls in a single week. Chris Conroy, alone, missed 24 calls in a single game. Felt like a kid-like behavior, didn’t it?
Then, there is the darker side of the coin. A frustrated fan nailed the structural flaw in MLB. “Do not worry though. MacKay will never have to justify it, gets to hide in anonymity and the MLB does not care.” That is the concern. In the age of accountability, such umpires still rule behind a curtain. They have to face no postgame interviews, no explanations. Only stars, managers, and GMs face their mistakes; not the officials who decide games. It is a system ripe for resentment.
Finally, perhaps the most gut-punching reaction came from a fan who simply asked, “Why even have challenges?” Well, the whole point of instant replay is to correct mistakes in real time. However, when violations go unpunished after review, the purpose gets undermined. What is the point of slowing down the game if the umpires can still ignore the evidence? If the outcome is the same, the trust is gone.
Fans were not just mad—they were disillusioned. That moment made fans question the system. So, MLB has some work to do if it wants to regain its trust and prove the league’s credibility. It’s better to begin to listen!
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