Bad Memories

I watched the last few innings of the Chisox-Angels game tonight. It was gearing up to a dramatic, hard-fought finish. Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth. I was sure this thing would go extras. A little extra baseball for all those fans who only paid for nine innings. But then, this year's "The Call" brought the game to a grinding halt. Literally, because Mike Scoscia, the Angels manager, ran onto the field to argue. And figuratively, because it seemed to deflate the Angels.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pier-something Pollack swung at a two-strike breaking ball low in the zone. Notice I didn't say dirt. The Angels third string catcher caught the ball. In his mitt. Like baseball players do. The umpire made the "out" motion. You know, the universal symbol for "out": a closed fist that moves downward toward the ground. A.J. Pier-something Pollack turned and headed back toward his dugout. But, he peered back at the plate and inexplicably ran to first base. The Angels players had begun their trot off the field, thinking the inning was over. But it wasn't. At least not for A.J. Pier-something Pollack. He reached first base, and the umpires (remember, there are six of them for a playoff game) called him safe at first. Replays showed, in my estimation, that A.J. Pollack swung and missed, thus, he was out. The ball never touched the dirt. Scoscia argued to no avail, and, after a stolent base, Joe Crede stepped to plate and roped a game-winning double down the left-field line.

The Angels must be sick. There's nothing worse than having a game snatched from you by shoddy officiating. It hurts even more in the playoffs. I'm not calling for replay in baseball. I think the human element plays an important part in the game. But give me a break. This is the postseason. Players and managers have to preform at a level higher than usual. So should the umpires.

Does this fluke win change the complexion of the series? It's very likely because the Angels could've won the game in extras and gone home up 2-0 with John Lackey taking the mound in one of the next two games, giving the Angels a real shot at going up 3-0 or 3-1. The White Sox, it appears, have the momentum (for whatever its worth) going to Anaheim. We'll never know how this series could've played out.

It reminds me of a sickening event that happened in 1996 in an ALCS matchup between the underdog Baltimore Orioles and AL powerhouse New York Yankees. The Orioles took the first game in N.Y. and were poised to take the second one, as well. The Orioles, it appeared, had taken firm grasp of this series. Going back to Baltimore for three more games up 2-0 in the series would've been huge. But, the umpires ensured a Yankees victory.

Late in the game, the Orioles are leading when Derek Jeter steps to the plate. He digs in and smacks a deep fly ball to right field. Orioles outfielder Tony Tarrasco settles under the ball at the base of the wall, reaches up and comes away with air. Little Jeffrey Maier extended his arms over the fence and pulled Jeter's ball into the stands. The right-field umpire ruled Jeter's "hit" a home run. It put the Yankees ahead of the Orioles. The series left New York at 1-1. The Orioles wouldn't win another game in the series, and so began New York's title run.

After the game, I was hurting. I couldn't believe the Orioles lost a game because of incompetent officiating. There was a pain in the pit of my gut. So, I know how Angels players and fans must be feeling right now. It's not pretty. And it will probably sour you on the rest of the series, especially if the Angels can't come back from such a demoralizing loss.

Personally, I don't want the Angels to win. Ever since Vlad Guerrero spurned the Orioles for Anaheim, I have vowed to root against the Angels and Vlad. But I certainly didn't want the Anaheim to lose this way. In fact, it's only OK when the Yankees lose because of a bad call. That's justified because they stand as a symbol of all that's wrong in this world. And I say that with all hyperbole aside.

I picked Chicago to win this series, and after tonight's result, I can't see the White Sox losing the series. But I feel for all you Angels fans out there, and I hope your team demonstrates resiliance in the coming games. Bad calls have a way of ruining a fantastic season and a potentially fantastic postseason series. Here's hoping that doesn't happen.

But for the love of God, put the rally monkey away. Haven't you seen Outbreak?