I believe Josh has a memory error. I recall the next day, Good Morning America showing Rich walking in from the outfield, being asked to sign autographs by Yankee fans sitting in seats along the left field line, then making an appearance on the Morning show to accept congratulations!!! Not having the minerals to make the correct call in front of the Yankee faithful will forever besmirch is legacy. The next season, I was sitting two rows behind the O's dugout at Oriole Park. I don't remember who we were playing, But there was a play at home plate that involve an erstwhile infield hit that included some confusion, as O's catcher Chris Holes was guilty of batter interference that the home plat umpire had not seen. The interference was evident from my position, not far from the action in cozy Camden Yards. Fans around me were not as aware as myself, but bless his heart, Rich Garcia, the first place ump came down the line to correct the call and restore order. Great call, superior officiating from 90 feet away, a terrible angle and multiple players in the line of sight. As Rich walked back to first base, I yelled, "they can't fool you Rich!"
I wonder how yankees fans would've treated this kid had it been correctly called out. This definetely would've been the steve bartman treatment. For thos who think otherwise, put yourself back in 1996. The yankees hadn't won the world series in 18 years. Had lost in the playoffs the previous year in heartbreak fashion (after missing the previous 12 playoffs). Mattingly had retired. Steinbrenner was the most hated owner (a few years removed from his suspension), Joe Torre was not preferred hiring by most fans in his first season. Yankee fans tend to be very passionate so I dont think it's outside the realm of possiblity that this kid would've gotten the bartman treatment. Who knows if the yankees even get the other 3 world series in that decade. Would torre still ahve been manager all those, do they get big time players (Clemens, Wells, etc) that the recent world series success helped them get. I know it's just a hypothetical but a case could be made that the umpire messing up this call helped create a late 90s dynasty.
When asked about the the Jeffery Maier play former Orioles Manager Earl Weaver was quoted as saying, "That kid was in the right field stands for ONE REASON!"
The call was absurd, the aftermath was absurd, Rich Garcia was absurd afterwards. It was insanity, they should’ve reversed the call, even well before replay review, it should’ve been reversed.
@@andrewgrove1691Nick Sandman smiles at an awkward incident? Kyle Rittenhouse kills a paedo and a wife beater? Jeffrey Maier robs a baseball from a hitter? None of these kids are alike you 🤡.
