The Mets suffered a painful defeat against the Reds, by a score of 2-5, so they remain in second place in the National League East Division, just one game behind the Phillies, so the pressure on the New York team is at its peak.
In addition, on Saturday at Citi Field, the Mets enthusiastically celebrated the legacy of David Wright before their matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.
However, the atmosphere quickly changed after a controversial umpiring decision that affected Juan Soto in his first at-bat, which ignited reactions both on the field and on social media.
Controversial umpire decision against Juan Soto
The Dominican outfielder, known for his discipline at the plate and his poise, was visibly confused when umpire Manny Gonzalez called a third strike that, in the opinion of many, was not.
The decision surprised fans, the coaching staff and Soto himself, once again fueling the discussion about the quality of umpiring in Major League Baseball.
Soto was facing left-hander Nick Martinez in the bottom of the first inning. After taking a ball, he let a high, inside cut fastball go by, confident that it would be the second ball of the at-bat. However, Gonzalez called it a strike.
After two fouls, a 93 mph sinker was called for a third strike. Soto’s expression of disbelief was caught on camera and soon went viral.
The incident was summed up by Talkin’ Baseball in just two words: “Robot Umps”, in reference to the automated ball-strike (ABS) system, which has gained traction in the minor leagues and recently at the All-Star Game
Fans call for implementation of technology in baseball
Despite the result of the match, the play starring Soto was one of the most talked about on social networks, forming a whole debate regarding the urgency of the implementation of technological tools so that referees can make better decisions, something that has already happened in other sports such as American football and soccer.
Opinions on the subject are divided, with some defending the call, while others demanded structural changes. “Clearly it was a strike, Soto is a crybaby,” said one user. Another was more blunt: “These umpires should be fined every time they make a mistake.”
History of controversial decisions against Juan Soto
This is not the first similar episode for Soto this season. On July 6, during the last game of the Subway Series against the Yankees, umpire John Bacon was also criticized for calling two very questionable strikes. That situation even led to the ejection of manager Carlos Mendoza.
The complaints against Gonzalez ranged from ironic comments, “800 million dollars for that strike,” in reference to Soto’s contract, to more direct criticism of his visual ability.
Meanwhile, the idea of incorporating ABS at the Major League level continues to gain traction among fans.
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