What Bad Umpiring Looks Like | Baseball Bits

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This one's about the best and worst umpires, at least with regards to calling the MLB strike zone. Umpire Angel Hernandez is probably the most infamous at the moment, but do you know Pat Hoberg? John Libka? Alan Porter? They're gonna be umpiring the strike zone for a lot longer than Angel Hernandez, Laz Diaz, or CB Bucknor.

In this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, there will be plenty of time to look at some MLB worst calls and MLB best calls, especially with regards to the MLB strike zone. But we'll also dig deeper on the subject of Robo-umps, the Automated Ball Strike System that may soon replace human strike zone callers.

UmpScoreCards is a fairly new, public-facing way to grade umpires, and we'll be leaning on their work heavily to find the truth. Does MLB have an umpire problem? Kyle Schwarber seems to think so. But maybe it's the K-Zone that has us fooled.
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Soundtrack from Maxo:

[phunq]

Pat Hoberg finally delivered his perfect game IN THE WORLD SERIES!!! What a legend!

[SummoningSalt]

We need to start implementing umpire perfect game alerts into broadcasts. Imagine the hype when the first one is finally performed.

... well, I'd be hyped at least.

[dirtaylulu]

Angel Hernandez is truly an inspiration, he didn't let his blindness stop him from achieving his dream of being an umpire for MLB.

[rpsnider]

And HES DONE IT. Pat Hoberg called a perfect game...in the World Series no less. Truly a demon back there. His accuracy rates have gotten better over time, I give him leeway as he was starting out and that accounts for the lower average. It seems he's also over 98% nowadays though. Dudes just extremely good at his job, in a job that's not only quite difficult but one in which a lot of his fellows are shit.

[jonahgavino]

“Did you put that ball into the Goblet of Strikes, Angel?” Schwarber explained calmly.

[SetTheEdge]

Umpires being too shy to make impactful calls is hilarious considering their chosen line of work. All officials get too much hate and not enough credit no matter the sport though. Great video, I have a weird urge to go form a union now.

[zachchavernay]

And now he’s done it in the World Series. Congratulations Pat Hoberg.

[teddyconover]

Foolish Baseball makes the modern game more understandable, enjoyable, and thoughtful. This guy is a master at content creation. We are truly lucky to have him.

[maxp]

I have to be honest, that one "miss" by Hoberg is an entirely forgiveable call. It's close enough where nobody's really going to complain, especially given the circumstances (first pitch)

[toaster]

I really appreciate your explanation of the strike zone. I often feel it's 3D-ness is forgotten. I think it's good to think of it like a "cloud". Clearly people on the field have a whole different feeling of what a strike zone is.

[Veaseify]

13:03 - so glad you mentioned that Pitch Framing 'has always been a thing' - some media outlets make it seem like it was something that arrived with the internet. I have a book from 1986 called 'How To Watch Baseball' where players explain the 'inside baseball' things that fans should watch for. In the chapter on Catchers, Lance Parrish of the Tigers and Jody Davis of the Cubs explain how to make balls look like strikes by framing - and they were taught how to do it by guys that were taught how to do it 30 years before.

[PaulieWalnuts]

My favorite quote on Angel Hernandez that I take no credit for:
If Angel Hernandez had another eye, he’d be a cyclops.

[FuzzyFromYT]

Burrito has arrived. Foolish has uploaded. Today is Christmas.

[sandrobruni]

And now Pat Hoberg has called a perfect game- the first ever since umpire scorecards was established in 2015.

[TimMitch]

Bailey’s prediction coming true at 15:53 only a few months later PROVES that he actually is a time traveler

[AndrewTranBaseball]

15:58 I just took a look at Pat's ump scorecard today on G2 of the WS, he did got the perfect game

[iPizzaHead]

All hail our lords and saviors Pat HoBOT and Wohn Wibka!

[BaseballAF]

Its about time that Pat Hoberg got the recognition and respect he truly deserves.

[Ghtherich]

Daily reminder that Hoberg just called a perfect game and foolish baseball said he most likely will in this video. Good call.

[orangezapinator]

I love all the Beatles references at every level in the video lol.