Calls Mount for Umpire's Immediate Firing After Rangers-Rays Game
Calls Mount for Umpire's Immediate Firing After Rangers-Rays Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Congratulations are in order for veteran umpire Laz Díaz, who quietly set an MLB record earlier this week.
Advertisement
Unfortunately for Díaz, as well as anyone against the Automated Ball-Strike System, we never said it was the good type of history.
Those watching Tuesday's Texas Rangers-Tampa Bay Rays game saw Díaz call a third strike on Rays left fielder Jake Magnum. Anyone watching likely immediately noticed the ball was well outside the strike zone.
How egregious was Díaz's call? The Umpire Auditor X/Twitter account found that Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle's pitch missed outside by 6.83 inches.
'With that call,' Umpire Auditor wrote, 'Laz Diaz has taken the crown from Angel Hernández for the worst called strikeout in Umpire Auditor history.'
Advertisement
Hernández previously set the record in April 2024, in a game ironically also featuring the Rangers. Texas designated hitter Wyatt Langford struck out on a pitch that was 6.78 inches outside the strike zone.
'I'm so serious this should be grounds to finally fire Laz Diaz,' wrote one X/Twitter user.
Added another: 'Now that Angel is gone, we gotta put our time and effort getting Laz Diaz off the [expletive] field.'
MLB umpire Laz Díaz in 2024Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Thankfully for the Rays, they survived Díaz's strike zone to win 5-1. Diaz previously turned heads in April after a heated viral argument with Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo.
Advertisement
"The MLB has to pressure Laz Diaz into retiring the same way they did with Angel Hernández," an X user argued. "He's just as bad (if not worse!) but never had the infamous popularity for some reason as Angel."
Hernández retired in May 2024 after 34 seasons. Diaz has been a full-time umpire since 1999 and became a crew chief in 2022.
"If you know the ump's name, chances are he [expletive] sucks at his job," one commenter suggested.
Related: Fans Outraged at Umpire Over Calls in Phillies-Athletics
Related: Fans Outraged Over What Umpire Did in Mets-Yankees
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Says Padres' Mike Shildt 'Made it Personal' Amid Fernando Tatis Jr. Drama
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Says Padres' Mike Shildt 'Made it Personal' Amid Fernando Tatis Jr. Drama originally appeared on Athlon Sports. During the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres game on Thursday night, there was a benches-clearing altercation between the two teams. It occurred after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch, and it escalated when Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went at it on the field. Advertisement After the game, Roberts commented on the altercation. He first started by making a point that the Tatis hit-by-pitch was unintentional. Robert's comments were shared by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on Twitter/X. "[That was] the last thing I wanted," Roberts said of Tatis getting hit by a pitch. "[I] didn't feel good when it happened." But, while Roberts called the hit-by-pitch unintentional, Shildt, in the moment, didn't think so. He walked onto the field and began yelling at the Dodgers' dugout, and Roberts specifically. That reaction from Shildt sparked Roberts' action to come on the field, which he elaborated on postgame. Advertisement "I felt that he was trying to make it personal with me," Roberts said. "Which then, I take it personal." On the broadcast, Roberts and Shildt can be seen confronting one another behind home plate, with Roberts pushing Shildt away. The altercation will likely be met with fines or other ramifications. But, in the meantime, Roberts and Shildt spoke ill of one another postgame. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) yells at San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt (8) after benches cleared in the eighth inning at Dodger Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Due to Roberts' feeling as if Shildt was making things personal, he reacted harshly in response. The drama was heightened due to previous incidents of Tatis getting hit by Dodgers pitching, which led Shildt to, in the words of Roberts, "make it personal." Advertisement Both teams will have time to cool off. Before they face each other again. Their next matchup comes in Los Angeles on Friday, August 15th. Just a couple of days later, the Dodgers make the trip to San Diego on August 21st, which is the last time the two teams would face each other in 2025, barring a postseason collision. Roberts' comments indicate he felt things were personal, and while there is plenty of time to cool off, Roberts might not do so. It's two months away, but the next series involving the two teams could be a time for retaliation. Roberts, feeling that Shildt made things personal, will likely have that date marked on his calendar. Related: Dodgers Insider Provides Insight into Shohei Ohtani's Accelerated Rehab Timeline Related: Dodgers' Dave Roberts Jokingly Offers Take on Shohei Ohtani Playing Basketball This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL Star Lamar Jackson Sends 5-Word Message to Jayson Tatum
NFL Star Lamar Jackson Sends 5-Word Message to Jayson Tatum originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A little over one month ago, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury near the end of the team's Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. While his timeline is still not fully clear, the expectation is that the Duke alum will miss all of next season. Advertisement As one of the top stars in the NBA, Tatum's injury is tough for the league and for the Celtics. However, the 27-year-old is seemingly still keeping his head eye in the midst of support from some of the greatest athletes in the world today. This includes Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who recently sent a message to the Celtics star. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images While recovering from an Achilles injury is never easy, there are reasons to believe Tatum will be able to bounce back, especially given his age. This is the hope for not just the Celtics organization or the city of Boston, but also for the Ravens star as well, who sent a five-word message to Tatum: 'Wishing you 100% recovery Champ!' With their star player likely out for next season, in addition to the likely roster turnover they will have this summer as they look to gain financial flexibility, the Celtics will be in a strange spot next year. After being legitimate title favorites over the last few seasons, they will most likely not be as dominant next season and may have a re-tooling year. Advertisement Hopefully for the Celtics, Tatum can come back from his injury and return to his pre-injury form. Until then, however, Boston will have to make do without their star player and look to shock the basketball world in 2026. Related: Former Celtics Star Announces Decision on Retirement Related: NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers to Trade for Red Sox Reliever Zach Penrod
Dodgers to Trade for Red Sox Reliever Zach Penrod originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a slew of injuries to their pitching staff. While the starting rotation has taken center stage, the team's bullpen has also been depleted. Advertisement To begin amending this issue, the Dodgers made a trade with the Boston Red Sox. According to Robert Murray of Fansided on Twitter/X, the Dodgers have acquired Zach Penrod from the Red Sox. With Penrod being designated for assignment recently, the return is likely to be just cash for the Red Sox. The Dodgers, meanwhile, add more depth to their bullpen with a lefty with relief experience in the Major Leagues. Penrod, the 28-year-old lefty, has just four innings of Major League experience. But in these four innings, Penrod has a 2.25 ERA, three strikeouts, and a 1.75 WHIP. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images But what's more important is his Minor League statistics. In his Minor League career, Penrod has a 10-6 record with a 4.05 ERA in 102.1 innings. He's struck out 138 batters and has a 1.38 WHIP. Advertisement His MLB stint came in 2024, but he's been a piece in the Red Sox's minor league system since 2023. He was previously a member of the Texas Rangers' minor league system before signing with the Red Sox in 2023. The Dodgers add a Penrod to their current crop of relievers, and while he likely won't play a huge role for the team, his history shows a he's a decent lefty off the mound with some prolific pitches. But, since he's struggled to stay in the Major Leagues, what the Dodgers can get out of him is unknown. Related: Dodgers' Dave Roberts Calls Out Padres' Mike Shildt Amid Hit-by-Pitch Drama Related: Padres Manager Mike Shildt Sends Dodgers Three-Word Message on HBPs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
