Instant Replay

The anticipation is finally over.

Last night, September 3, 2008, baseball history occurred at Tropicana Field.

In the top of the ninth, with two on and two out, Alex Rodriguez unloaded a majestic fly off Rays closer Troy Percival. A-Rod’s blast sailed over the left field foul pole before bouncing off the catwalk for his 549th career homer.

Or was it?

Joe Maddon came racing out of the dugout to protest the call. Maddon pleaded with plate umpire Greg Gibson to confer with his counterpart at third Brain Runge, who had called the ball fair. The umpires got together and then decided to make baseball history.

For a little more than two minutes the umpires watched the replay. With the drama of a jury entering the courtroom for the final verdict, the men in black walked back onto the field. Gibson pointed to the press box and signaled for a home run.

Today, we are giving MAD LOVE to everyone involved in the decision.

To major league baseball for finally realizing that home run calls need to be right, no matter how much time it takes.

To the umpires for having the guts to be the first group to put their judgment on the line.

And finally, to A-Rod because there isn’t another player who should be involved in the initial drama of instant replay.

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