Angel Hernandez was a terrible umpire 17 years ago when he ejected Steve “Mongo” McMichael from the press box at Wrigley Field, where the former Chicago Bears player called him out for being awful. Nothing’s changed since that 2001 incident, Angel Hernandez still sucks ass and the fact that he’s still employed by MLB is embarrassing.
This isn’t a Cubs-only thing either. Ask any fan from all 30 teams and I bet they all have at least one Hernandez memory of him making flat out brutal calls. Sunday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres came to a frustrating end, as Anthony Rizzo took a called third strike by Hernandez.
It was nowhere near the strike zone.
How does Angel Hernandez still have a job? Pitch #7 is called a strike to end the ball game. pic.twitter.com/ACP4Y0xnjU
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) August 5, 2018
Angel Hernandez was ready to go home pic.twitter.com/pUmINdnhNS
— Robert O'Neill (@RobertONeill31) August 5, 2018
After the game, Rizzo called out Hernandez.
Anthony Rizzo went off on home plate umpire Angel Hernandez for that game-ending strike call. Said he has the utmost respect for Hernandez and a good working relationship, but said the call was "unacceptable."
"He told me to look at it (on replay). I did. He's wrong."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) August 5, 2018
And they do have a good relationship.
As soon as the call was made, Rizzo gave Hernandez a piece of his mind.
The Cubs were down 10-6, and obviously with two outs in the ninth, the chances they come back and tie or win the game after that horrible call were slim.
Yet, the point is these calls happen all the damn time and it can’t be acceptable.
Rizzo: "That can't happen in the big leagues. … Every at bat counts. It doesn't matter if you're up 20 or down 20."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) August 5, 2018
What’s MLB going to do about it? Nothing, and that’s the real problem.
I don’t know about you, but constantly seeing obviously blown calls during every single at bat isn’t making the experience enjoyable. And I’m not exaggerating.
Every damn umpire calling balls and strikes, for one, doesn’t seem to have the same strike zone on consecutive pitches…
Two Kyle Hendricks 87mph Fastballs, Overlayed.
First two pitches of the 6th inning.
One was a strike…the other was a ball. 🤔H/T @EJBlock pic.twitter.com/QoYn3etBEY
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 4, 2018
…and two flat out make incorrect calls.
Man, if only there was some technology available that has the exact same strike zone every time.
Be mad at Angel Hernandez and other awful umpires, but the real anger should be toward MLB for continuing to let them make these terrible calls every single game.
This garbage needs to end.
