MLB Fans Call for Robot Umpires After Questionable Ninth-Inning Strikeouts

Baseball fans’ desire for robot umpires was amplified after a pair of brutal strikeout calls.

MLB fans’ calls for robot umpires grew a bit louder on Saturday night after a pair of star players were ruled out on controversial third strike decisions. Both Braves’ Ozzie Albies and Dodgers’ Mookie Betts were questionably called out on strikes in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Albies, in a four-run game in the bottom of the ninth, watched a pitch from Mariners’ Paul Sewald that appeared well outside of the zone. That’s not how home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso saw it, however, as he rung up Atlanta’s infielder for a strikeout. The Braves ended up losing the game 7–3, with the two batters following Albies being retired in order.

As for Betts, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs in a one-run game against the Cardinals, with a runner on second, he struck out looking on a pitch outside of the zone, ending the game for Los Angeles to give them a 6–5 loss. Paul Emmel was on the call in that game. 

Fans weren’t happy with the errant strikeout calls, which seem to have reignited the debate over whether human umpires need to make way for robots.

Robo umps we need y’all

— Mr Iggy (Cody👑 & Ian👑) (@RoqueBautista13) May 21, 2023

Top of the 9th, 2 outs, full count, a RISP with Mookie Betts at the plate and the ump ruins the game 💆🏾‍♂️

Maybe I’m ready for the robot ump’s 🤖🤷🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/4QrLXPmdUl

— Reginald Duke Hawkins Jr. (@rlhawkinsjr) May 21, 2023

Just a horrible called strike three on Mookie Betts to end the game. The Dodgers are robbed of a chance at a comeback in the 9th.

They would have had Freddie Freeman up with runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Just horrible. pic.twitter.com/7OEWZT20gh

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) May 21, 2023