By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
Umpire Angel Hernandez had himself a night to forget while working first base during Game 3 of the Red Sox-Yankees ALDS.
The likes of Pedro Martinez won’t let him forget it.
Pedro opened up the TBS postgame show by ripping Hernandez’s performance in the 16-1 blowout, in which an astonishing four of Hernandez’s calls went to replay review. Three were overturned.
.250 may be an acceptable average for a power hitter, but it’s far from acceptable for a Major League umpire.
“Angel was horrible. Don’t get me going on Angel now,” Pedro said. “Major League Baseball needs to do something about Angel. It doesn’t matter how many times he sues Major League Baseball. He’s as bad as there is.”
Martinez was referencing Hernandez’s discrimination lawsuit against MLB in which Hernandez claims he has been passed over for postseason assignments and a coveted Crew Chief position because of his Hispanic heritage.
The lawsuit became the subject of many jokes on Twitter with every incorrectly adjudicated call.
Angel Hernandez is suing MLB for discrimination. MLB should be countersuing for malpractice.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 9, 2018
Former players weren’t shy watching Hernandez’s latest debacle.
How Angel Hernandez is still umpiring let alone the playoffs is unreal to me. He is far the worst umpire in the league. Every year.
— Paul Lo Duca (@paulloduca16) October 9, 2018
MLB Network Radio and TBS studio host Casey Stern chimed in with some stats that seem so accurate they must be true:
Nobody in life has more job security than Angel Hernandez. His umpire WAR is -138.6
— Casey Stern (@CaseyStern) October 9, 2018
Hernandez did not speak after the game, but issued a statement that was released by Major League Baseball.
“There were several very close calls at first base tonight, and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them.”
Have no fear, the baseball world hasn’t seen the last of Angel Hernandez this postseason. He’s scheduled to work the plate for Game 4.
Buckle up.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast and on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.