UPDATE: Xander Bogaerts is expressing his frustration over a controversial call during the San Diego Padres’ elimination from the National League Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs on September 28, 2023. The incident occurred in the critical ninth inning, highlighting the urgent need for Major League Baseball’s upcoming automated ball-strike system (ABS).
In a pivotal moment, Bogaerts struck out looking on a pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone, leading to a wave of criticism aimed at home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn. The call effectively ended the Padres’ hopes of a comeback, as they fell 3-1 to the Cubs, who will now advance to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
The ninth inning began with hope for the Padres when Jackson Merrill launched a home run off Brad Keller, trimming the Cubs’ lead. Bogaerts, with a 3-2 count, faced Keller’s 97 mph fastball that many believed was a ball. Bogaerts crouched in disbelief as the call went against him, prompting Padres manager Mike Shildt to storm out of the dugout in protest.
“It’s a ball. Messed up the whole game, you know?”
Bogaerts continued, “Thank God for ABS next year, because this is terrible,” expressing his eagerness for the new challenge system that will allow teams to contest calls made by umpires.
The MLB competition committee approved the implementation of ABS for the 2024 season after extensive testing in the minors. Teams will have two challenges per game to challenge calls they deem incorrect, a system that Bogaerts believes could have changed the outcome of this critical match.
This disappointing finish caps off a season where the Padres, despite achieving a remarkable 90 wins, could not advance past the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. Bogaerts reflected on the season, saying, “We had a lot of fun… It was fun until today.”
As fans and players alike look ahead to next season, the call that haunted Bogaerts and the Padres serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in high-stakes moments. The anticipation for the ABS system is palpable among players, who hope it will eliminate such contentious calls in the future.
The Padres’ journey this season was marked by resilience and strong performances, but ultimately, they fell short when it mattered most. With the Cubs moving forward, baseball fans are left wondering: will technology finally help level the playing field?
Stay tuned for more updates as the MLB playoff picture continues to unfold.
