Sunday, October 27, 2013

Jim Joyce Gift-Wraps Cards Win In Game 3, 5-4

(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The World Series is not supposed to be about the umpires. Someone forgot to tell that to Jim Joyce—the man who has previously inserted himself in the way of baseball history. Joyce called an "obstruction" on Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (laying prone on the ground)—awarding the runner the plate and the Cardinals the win in Game Three, 5-4. Ending a World Series game on an arcane judgement call is beyond the pale. Boston had come back from two two-run deficits to tie the game at four. Then, Joyce had to take center stage. In what would have been one of the all-time World Series classics, Joyce single-handily turned it into a debacle that will be talked about for generations. Nice going, blue!