MLB umpire C.B. Bucknor has faced criticism for blown calls early in the 2024 season, with the latest controversy coming after a three-hour rain delay in a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox. Bucknor ended the game by calling strike three on Cardinals’ Ivan Herrera, even though the pitch was clearly outside the strike zone. The White Sox ultimately won 6-5 in 10 innings despite the Cardinals having bases loaded with no outs. This call sparked outrage from fans and announcers alike, with Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol calling it “awful.”
The controversial call by Bucknor was the latest in a string of questionable decisions by MLB umpires this season. Bucknor had previously been criticized for a strike three call on Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles, where the pitch was clearly low. Umpires have been under increased scrutiny from players and fans, and Bucknor’s call in a critical moment of the game only added fuel to the fire. The consistency and accuracy of umpires’ calls have been a topic of discussion throughout the season.
In the game between the Cardinals and White Sox, the controversial call came after a long rain delay that had already caused frustration for both teams. After waiting three hours, the last thing players and fans wanted to see was a game-deciding call that seemed to be clearly incorrect. The Cardinals TV announcers expressed disbelief at Bucknor’s decision, highlighting the impact that umpire calls can have on the outcome of a game.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol spoke out against the call, emphasizing the importance of letting the game be decided by the players on the field. Marmol did not specifically mention Bucknor but made it clear that he was not pleased with the umpire’s decision. Calls like the one made by Bucknor can significantly impact the outcome of a game and have lasting effects on teams’ performances and standings, making it crucial for umpires to make accurate judgments.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bucknor’s call, the White Sox ultimately secured a victory over the Cardinals. The game ended on a sour note due to the questionable call, overshadowing what had been a hard-fought and competitive matchup between the two teams. Umpires play a crucial role in ensuring fair play and upholding the integrity of the game, and calls like the one made by Bucknor highlight the challenges and pressure that come with officiating at the highest level of baseball.
MLB umpires like C.B. Bucknor face immense scrutiny and pressure to make split-second decisions that can impact the outcome of games. While mistakes are inevitable in any sport, repeated errors like the ones made by Bucknor tend to draw more attention and criticism. The league and teams rely on umpires to maintain fairness and consistency in officiating, and calls like the one that ended the game between the Cardinals and White Sox only fuel the ongoing debate about the role and performance of umpires in baseball.
