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Gordon-
As a fellow Cubs fan, I'll cut you some slack (Lord knows we need it!), but I want to ride the contrary train for a while. A few years ago, I proposed that we do whatever it takes to get the call right. I was nearly lynched for suggesting that an umpire's judgement could be questioned. I added that moves were afoot in MLB and NCAA to allow crew mates to get together (later known as conferencing). Lo and behold, they happened and baseball at both levels has had success with this new mechanic.
We find rule book revisions in Hockey, Football, Basketball and Horse Racing that deal with instant replay. Baseball will benefit from certain calls being aided by this technology. Should all calls be subject to this scrutiny? You know that I don't believe that to be necessary. The NFL has it right - only certain plays are reviewable and the added time is negligible when you consider the importance of the call. Remember the Yankee fan homerun interference call? How about all of the second guessing this year? The demand for perfection is inching upwards. Accountability is the name of the game - for Godsakes, we had an umpire press conference to explain a call. That wouldn't even have been considered ten years ago!
I would not like my calls to be questioned. However, MLB umpire crews are full time and make an awfully nice salary. Most executives that pull in that kind of coin are subject to incredible stress and scrutiny. Their judgements are questioned all of the time. Umpires are special, but so is the game. The time will come when we will see replay in baseball. I don't particularly care for it, but the first time that the Cubs get the benefit of the call, I'll be smilinging. Remember Lofton's catch that was ruled "no catch" against the Marlins? Wait until next year!
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