I missed this on Sunday, but two extraordinary things happened during the Sox-Rangers game:
First, a pitched ball hit a player -- Kevin Youkilis -- yet he was not awarded first base because the umpire ruled that Youk made no attempt to avoid being hit, as he is required to do by Rule 6.08(b)(2). In reality, this could and should be called on every other HBP, but I can't recall the last time an ump actually enforced the rules. For those who care, one of the most famous invocations of Rule 6.08(b)(2) came on May 31, 1968 when Don Drysdale hit a guy that would have forced in a run, thus ending his scoreless innings streak at 44. The ump ruled that the batter didn't try to avoid the pitch, however, and called it a dead ball. Drysdale went on to retire him and went another 14 innings without allowing a run.
Second, Terry Francona -- who ran out to argue the non-call on the Youk play -- later admitted that he was wrong:
"I don't know if you can go out and yell at a guy and then go back out and apologize. It's probably a little unprecedented to run back out and scream you're sorry."
Yep.
Oh, I also like this play because the ump who got the call right -- Tim Timmons -- makes his offseason home about two miles from my house. Throws a big Halloween party every year. I've never been invited, but I hear it's pretty sweet.
So nice call, Tim. And, just so you know, I'm not doing anything this Halloween. You know. Just in case you're having that party again.
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Tim Timmons is a true American hero.
Brian McCann should have had this called on him last night. Zach Duke hit him with a curve, but he didn't move other than a slight turn of the shoulder.
Youkilis actually dipped his elbow, quite deliberately upon slow-mo review, into the path of the pitch. Pretty funny.
Craig Biggio rarely tried to avoid a pitch that was close, and I actually saw him denied first base in a game about three seasons ago.
I believe Joe Crede was called back last year and Ozzie went nuts. Or Ozzie was being Ozzie. You get the idea ...
Youkilis does that on every inside pitch, trying to get hit. I'm surprised by exactly two things:
1) That he doesn't get called for it more often
2) That an umpire actually enforced a rule that would penalize a Red Sox player