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What Happened
In the bottom of the seventh inning of a 3-0 game, the Boston Red Sox are trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Justin Turner, representing the tying run, steps up to the plate with two runners on base and one out. On a 3-2 pitch, home plate umpire Pat Hoberg calls strike three, ending the inning and leaving the Red Sox frustrated. In the next half-inning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora closely watches as Hoberg makes several borderline pitch calls, appearing to favor the outer edge of the strike zone. Cora argues vehemently, believing Hoberg is not being consistent, and eventually gets ejected for his outburst. Hoberg stands firm, confident in his strike zone. The game continues, and Hoberg continues to make calls that the Red Sox disagree with. One pitch to Dodgers outfielder Chris Tucker is called a strike, while a very similar pitch moments later is ruled a ball. Cora's ejection does not deter the Red Sox, as they continue to challenge Hoberg's strike zone. In a crucial sequence, Hoberg makes a mistake, thinking the bases were loaded when in fact there were only two runners on. He initially calls a Dodgers runner out at home, but then quickly overturns the call, acknowledging his error. Despite the controversies, Hoberg maintains his composure and demonstrates his commitment to consistent umpiring. The game remains close, with the Dodgers clinging to their 3-0 lead. As the action unfolds, the transcript highlights Hoberg's meticulous attention to detail and his determination to call the game fairly, even when faced with intense scrutiny and criticism from the Red Sox dugout.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentThis breakdown is brought to you by Farmer's Dog, higher quality dog food, and it all stems
around this 3-2 pitch to Justin Turner. There's two runners on base. He represents the tying run,
one out in the top of the seven, 3-0 game. So ball four here, loads the bases with only one
out. Pretty big pitch. This is what happens. Called strike three to end the inning. Turner's
a bit shocked. Thought it was ball four. So did Cora in the dugout. Then the next inning,
the bottom of the seventh, we have a lot of pitches on that outside edge, and Cora and the
Red Sox are watching closely now at how Pat Hoberg, the ump, who's a really good ump, is going to
call them. Here's the first one. That's a strike. He says strike. They like that. Next one. That's
a strike, too. They like that. 0-2. They try to go a little outside. They think that's the same
exact thing. They think that's the same exact thing. They think that's the same exact thing.
It's an exact pitch, but it's called a ball, and they throw it again, called a ball, and they're
like, what the fuck is that? Fuck you. He said F you because he got ejected. He goes out to argue.
He's all pissed because he's like, call it both ways. Pat's like, what are you talking about?
Now, here's the pitch to Justin Turner, and I put a little red overlay on it so we can follow it.
Now, if we're to say that this ball right here is the edge of the plate,
for Pat Hoberg, like any pitch more outside than that's a ball, inside is a strike. Just
checking on his consistency here on those four pitches I just showed you. Well, here's the first
one, and they're pretty much the same, and he got it consistent. He called that one a strike.
Now, here's the second one, and that's inside the red one, so he has to call that a strike,
and he does call that one a strike. Now, this is the one.
Red Sox are upset about, or one of the two they're upset about, and it is outside of the
pitch to Turner, so Hoberg called this one a ball. He called the red ball a strike to Turner, so
he's consistent there, and then the very next pitch, same thing. So, Hoberg, who's known as
one of the best ball strike callers in MLB, is being consistent. The Red Sox can still argue
that, well, the red one's outside.
The others are further, but they think that they're the same pitch, and he's calling them
two different ways, but if that's his line, he's being very true to it. Anyway, Cora comes out,
and he says, you did that with that fucking pitch. We had the bases loaded. Oh, yeah? Yeah,
we had the bases loaded, one pitch, and then the whole inning screwed up because you called it a
strike, and it's right here, kicking, kicking, kicking, kicking, kicking the dirt, and Hoberg
is like, huh? You think that pitch was outside?
Both.
Both.
What? What? What, Pat?
There's no way.
You're saying bullshit?
I am.
Are you sure?
Yes.
We'll chat tomorrow.
Go ahead.
I'll be here to give them the fucking lineup.
Go ahead.
I will go ahead.
Do it. Go ahead and tell me it was a ball. If you want to do it, you told me it was a ball. Now,
stop. I don't give a fuck.
Oh, you don't? Okay. Okay.
No, I don't. I literally don't give a fuck.
Okay.
Okay. He's been fucking horse shit. Horse shit all fucking day.
So, Cora gets ejected. He's got to leave. The game still remains going, though, and Pat Hoberg
is standing strong, feeling confident in himself. They're going to test that side of the plate
again, coming inside on Tucker there. That one's called a strike. This one called a ball. Pitcher's
upset again. Same pitch. Let's go compare those to the Justin Turner one. So, this one was called
a strike, and yeah.
That's the edge that Hoberg has set for himself. That is the consistent edge, so he calls that one
a strike. Now, this one he calls a ball. Let's see where it compares to the Turner one, and it is a
ball more outside. It's almost impressive how good Pat Hoberg is and how consistent he is with his
zone. The game continues. Now, that one's way inside. We've already established where the line
is. That one was probably going to be called a strike, but instead, it's a double. It's zero
outs, and now there's two runners.
Two runners on. Next pitch, or next batter, puts one into right field, and this run scores. How about
that? Run scores the next play. Two runners on. Grounder to the second baseman. Comes home, and
Hoberg calls him out, which is very confusing because he wasn't out, and then Hoberg is like,
what? I thought the bases were loaded. I thought the bases were loaded. We need to overchange the
call. Okay, guys. Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, my bad. I got it wrong. He's actually safe because I got it wrong. I'm Pat Hoberg,
and I'm a respectable umpire. Should be treated that way. Just like all of your dogs should be
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