After last postseason and now last night’s what should have been a perfect game for Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers, fans are now asking for more instant replays.  I could not agree more.  I think replays should be used for outs, homeruns, and whether or not a ball stays fair.  Replays should not be used on balls or strikes because no camera angle is accurate enough to see on video tape.

There have been many plays in MLB history that have been questioned, but the rise of miscalls recently are now stirring up an outrage from MLB fans and teams.  A lot of this started in last year’s postseason.

In game 2 of the ALDS (Twins at Yankees), in the top of the 11th inning, I believe it was Joe Mauer who hit a fly ball down the left field line.  It bounced on the ground out of Melky Cabrera’s reach and into the stands.  The umpire working the line called the ball foul.  However, if you look at the replay, the ball was a good 2-3 ft. fair and should have been a ground-rule double.

Some of the most memorable miscalls in the ALCS (Yankees at Angels) came in game 4.  It all started at second base where Nick Swisher was almost picked off and had to scurry back to second base.  When looking at the replay, Swisher was clearly tagged out about a foot away from the bag, but he was called safe.  After Swisher was moved to third base, a Yankee (can’t remember who) hit a fly ball into centerfield.  Swisher tagged and scored at the plate.  Torii Hunter tried to argue that Swisher left the bag too early and Tim McClelland called Swisher out.  If you look at the replay, Swisher did wait for the ball to be caught and Tim McClelland was not even facing Swisher to see if he tagged properly.  Swisher gained momentum to run home before the ball was caught, but his foot left the bag in perfect timing.  Swisher should have been safe and should have had a run in his stats.

The most memorable ALCS moment last year was the bizzare calls at third base with Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano.  Posada was at third trying to score, but got caught up and tried to run back to third base.  However, Cano had already made his way to third and they were both standing there.  Angels’ catcher Mike Napoli tagged both of the runners out.  After Cano was tagged, he quickly put his foot on the base and Tim McClelland called Cano safe and Posada out.  It was clear, however, that Cano was also out.  McClelland claims Posada was in his way and could not see around him if Cano’s foot was on the bag or not.  I think McClelland just was not paying attention to Cano.

There was a play earlier this season where Curtis Granderson went to make a diving catch in centerfield.  The second base umpire said that the ball hit the ground before it went into Curtis’ glove.  However, if you look at the replay, it is clear that the ball landed directly into Granderson’s glove.

And finally, we go to last night’s heartbreaking sight of what to me is a perfect game.  Armando Galarraga was about to make history by becoming the 21st pitcher in MLB history to pitch a perfect game.  With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Jason Donald ground to second.  Miguel Cabrera collected to ball and threw it to Galarraga who was covering the bag.  Donald was out by a foot, but Jim Joyce called him safe.  This is an event that is tragically taken away.  Galarraga will most likely never have an opportunity to pitch another perfect game and to have this one taken away is just heartbreaking.  Because there are no instant replays, the call could not be overturned then and there.

A lot of people have feared, however, that by allowing more instant replays will “open pandora’s box.”  I do not think that this will be the case.  MLB allows replays on homeruns and managers can’t demand them like football coaches can have challenges.  Managers can ask for the umpires to look at the replay.  I think this rule should stay in effect and allow managers to also ask for replays on outs and fair balls.  If you want to give managers an opportunity to demand it, they should be allowed two challeges.  I’m not trying to make baseball sound like football now, but these things might be taken into effect.