
Getty Image
The MLB umpiring issue has been a significant talking point all season long. As such, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred plans to introduce robot umps in 2024.
We have seen plenty of terrible performances: Angel Hernandez doing Angel Hernandez things, Hunter Wendelstedt’s terrible calls, and, perhaps worst of all, Doug Eddings’ awful performance.
But, believe it or not, there was a near-perfect performance by umpire Jim Reynolds during Thursday’s game between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. Here’s Reynolds’ score, courtesy of Umpire Scorecards.
Umpire: Jim Reynolds
Final: Tigers 0, Guardians 4#DetroitRoots // #ForTheLand#DETvsCLE // #CLEvsDET pic.twitter.com/CaoFcAmk23— Umpire Scorecards (@UmpScorecards) July 15, 2022
That’s right, Reynolds finished with a 99% overall accuracy and 95% overall consistency. Out of 131 pitches, only one was called incorrectly, and here’s the pitch he missed.
The only missed call yesterday for Jim Reynolds!
So close to the elusive perfect game! 👍 https://t.co/VtjrLojzTx pic.twitter.com/yVZe4TOuvo— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 15, 2022
We always talk about the terrible jobs by umpires, but let’s give Reynolds a tip of the hat for a fantastic job. MLB fans are still shocked at how good of a job Reynolds did.
https://t.co/w5Eoy08PKY pic.twitter.com/jm9dNZ2xQ9
— Easy E (@EasyE65) July 15, 2022
pitcher misses spot = catcher moves glove too much = strike is called a ball = umpire perfect game ruined
heartbreakinghttps://t.co/72AGgwIfz0 pic.twitter.com/cT2bkL77HV
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 15, 2022
Make him an All Star umpire @MLB!
— Marie (@zme_ow305) July 15, 2022
Good job Jimmy 👏🏽
— cleveland sp (@clevestanbul) July 15, 2022
Jim Reynolds masterclass
— Brandon Drury Stan (@dinonugs248) July 15, 2022
Wim Weynolds
— Sports Fan (@sportsfan03578) July 15, 2022
— Yukihira ATARI◢ ◤当 雪片 (@81ATARI) July 15, 2022
Being an umpire is a difficult job, and the MLB definitely needs robot umps with the number of atrocious calls we have seen. But Jim Reynolds was a master on Thursday and deserves all the credit. Why can’t all of them be like him?