Take another look at this, please
Rangers 2, Giants 0
If you're going to have instant replay, shouldn't you be able to use it?
For the most part, you can. Umpires can call New York to check the rules, to confirm the count, to review a safe or out call. You can even review a hit by pitch—except when you can't.
In a ridiculous sequence of events, Jung Hoo Lee swung at a fastball that looked like it hit him. But it didn't. It hit his bat.
Everyone could see that by watching a replay. The only four people who couldn't watch the replay were the only four people who needed to watch the replay. The umpires said Lee swung at a pitch that hit him. Strike three.
This isn't usually a problem. Hit by pitches are reviewable. But swing decisions are not.
So when a batter swings at a pitch that the umpire says hit him?
Well, your slo-mo instant replay in 2025 is as good as a slo-mo instant replay in 1925.
Up next: The Giants are celebrating Brandon Crawford at the yard this afternoon with Bruce Bochy in town. It’ll be Tyler Mahle and Robbie Ray squaring off once the festivities die down. First pitch at 1:05 pm, with the Crawford ceremony beginning around 12:30 pm.
🎧 Another episode of Giants Postcards will be up in a few hours. The Giants have more wins than any team in the American League and yet … don’t things feel a bit messy? Kerry and I break it all down. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else.