Until recent years, I had not been one to clamor for extensive replay in baseball. Yet, it does seem like blatantly blown calls are becoming an epidemic that would be solved by it.
The latest was Monday night when umpire John Tumpane obviously missed a call on a play at the plate during the Tigers-Rays game at Comerica Park. The Rays Justin Ruggiano did score, but was nonetheless called out. The replays were very definitive. It was 1-0 at the time in the seventh inning of a game between two competitive and contending teams with the pennant race heating up in June.
The replays were also conclusive on the Tigers' last home stand when they were greatly aided in a victory over the Twins by a ball that went into the stands, bounced off a fan and back onto the field. Yet, it wasn't called a ground rule double, allowing Jhonny Peralta to score the winning run from third base.
Then again, the calls aren't getting much notice in this town because they went for the home team. That does not make it right. Not anymore right than when Armando Galarraga was robbed of his perfect game last season by Jim Joyce's missed call.
Baseball games last long enough. I get that part. But one challenge flag per game might work without making games drag on.
The cost would be worth it in maintaining the integrity of the game, which is getting compromised by wrong calls deciding games - and perhaps, ultimately, pennant races - during an era when replays do show every mistake.