'I should've sold it'
October 14, 2005
Tom Verducci
si.com
ANAHEIM -- The umpire who made the controversial dropped third strike call in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series said yesterday he "absolutely" made the right call, but admitted he was wrong in the manner in which he called it.
"I think I've got to change my mechanic a little," Doug Eddings said upon arriving at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif. Eddings' raised, clenched fist for a strike call is similar to a traditional out call. "That's why I feel bad. I should have given a safe sign."
Eddings admitted he called a dropped third strike more emphatically earlier in the game.
With two outs in the ninth inning of a 1-1 game, Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski missed a low, full count pitch from Los Angeles reliever Kelvim Escobar. Angels third-string catcher Josh Paul thought he caught the ball without it striking the ground and immediately rolled the ball toward the mound, which Escobar had vacated on his way to the dugout. Pierzynski, after taking one step toward his own dugout, realized Eddings had made no audible out call and sprinted to first base. Eddings did indicate a third strike by raising his right first, but made no physical or audible call to indicate the ball hit the ground.
"I should have sold it either way," he said.
He admitted he was surprised to see Paul roll the ball to the mound.
"Nine times out of 10 if there is any question the catcher tags him," Eddings said.
Paul said after the game he rolled the ball back instead of tagging Pierzynski because he said he was convinced he caught the ball without it striking the ground. Replays were inconclusive.
When asked if Eddings' actions behind him had no bearing on his decision to roll the ball to the mound, Paul said, "That's correct."
Pierzynski was replaced by pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna, who stole second and scored the game-winning run on a double by Joe Crede.
Eddings and his fellow umpires were met and escorted at the airport by a security officer from major league baseball as well as two armed Orange County sheriffs.
Asked if he felt he made the right call on the pitch, Eddings replied,
"Absolutely. I felt it bounced. I know others have their own opinions."
Eddings said he received voice mail messages from "just about all" other major league umpires as well as several NHL officials supporting his call.
"It makes you feel good," said Eddings. "I've wanted to do this job since I was 13 or 14 years old. I love my job. I still do."
As part of the routine postseason umpire rotation, Eddings is scheduled to work the rightfield line at Angels Stadium for Game 3 Friday night.
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