I have no interest in the NL but I’ve been reading about the game today and it seems like it was exciting as hell.
Perfect way to end out the NL season, as there was no “runaway winner” in the league at all. Very tight to the end.
Going to be a great October!!!
Actually the catcher did it right-he only moved his leg to block after he had the ball in hand. I say this as someone who is miffed that they never strictly enforce the rule even in the most egregrious and flagrant instances. And while I’m at it they really need to put the extra umps right underneath the foul poles-that would avoid any nonsense about “foul/fair”, “homer/double”, and “did the kid reach over the wall touch it/or not”…
My understanding of the rule is that you may block the base if you are “in the act of fielding” the ball, which he was, whether or not he actually had it.
Here’s the rule:
Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered “in the act of fielding a ball.” It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball. For example: If an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.
From here.
I thought Barrett’s play at the plate looked like good fielding, and clean, according to how I interpret this. Looked to me like the ump was tired & just wanted the thing over with.
I already said that my turning off the game in the top of the 13th is the reason we won in the bottom. The evil baseball demons will do anything to keep me from seeing an exciting play, up to and including the play in question.
I did see the homerun that didn’t count, further demonstrating that they hate me and enjoy my suffering.
Nah, McLelland makes every call just like that, including balls and strikes. The Rockies radio guys were going nuts trying to call the pitches because he was so slow and quiet.
McLelland actually had perfect position, but his view was screened by the catcher’s legs. From his perspective, the ump saw a close play and was prepared to call Holliday out, but waited for the catcher to show him he still had the ball - when he saw the ball on the ground, he made the slow, deliberate safe call just like he would have if Holliday were safe by 10 feet.
Having instant replay would not have made a difference here - the call on the field was safe, and only incontravertible video evidence could reverse it. The evidence on the replay was suggestive that he didn’t touch the base, but not absolute. No way that would have been overturned.
I’ve never had the slightest interest in the Colorado Rockies, but I’ll tell you, this is why baseball’s the best game there is; it’s just never over until it’s over. 14 wins in 15 games to end the season and they needed every single one of them, plus extra innings and a huge comeback. What a fantastic thing for the Rockies and their fans.
I agree. Catchers get away with this all the time, but this was not one of them. Barrett was clean.
Yeah, really. Can someone explain to me why the line umps were approximately nine feet behind the base umpires?
I agree with you…very cool. This is what I love about baseball, too. One of the great things about it is that there is no clock to run up against, so anything can happen at any time in the game.
I usually don’t give a flip about any teams but the Cubs, but in this game I was kind of pulling for San Diego. I am a big fan of Michael Barrett, loved him when he was with the Cubs and thought it was BS that he got traded. I thought he got screwed with that call.
My poor Padres.
I’m even more bummed that I missed the game, though. Congrats to Colorado, and here’s to SD ruling the roost in 2008! 
Just my luck – I got Broncos season tickets in a Rockies year! Crap!
Oh, well, at least they’ve shed the “Colorado Chokies” image, maybe for good. Way t’go, Rox!
Ohh sorry, bad news for you. I just checked the official baseball gods curse reference. Fans who cheer for a cheating loser hitting a homerun to tie the rightful holder, is 10-20 years without playoff. Looks like you are in for a bit of a bad time for the fans not giving Bonds what he deserved.
I’m sure I’m being whooshed, but I’ll say it anyway: Huh?
Also, I don’t think so, ArchiveGuy. Next year is THE year for the Dodgers. It’s our destiny to win it all. 50 years since our arrival in Los Angeles, 20 years since we last won the World Series. There’s no way we can lose next season!
Y’all heard it here first. 
Back OT, I’m not sure who I’ll root for if the Cubs and Rockies meet up in the NLCS. My heart’s more with the Cubs, but after the way the Rockies fought back to close out the season, it’s hard not to root for them.
Is there a YouTube (or other) video of the final play? (I can’t seem to find it.)
Go here and click on the link on the left-hand side that reads “Holliday’s Game-Winning Slide.”
The Pads fan cheered 755, they should have been booing and screaming and/or shooting. Since Ruth has a curse, and a damn goat has a curse I’m calling a curse down on San Diego for shaming baseball.
Ah, key word in your original statement being “tie” – next time I’ll try reading for comprehension. :o
Also see - Does Matt Holliday touch the plate?
The catcher’s foot starts out* in fron*t of the plate, blocking it. After Holliday slides past, the catcher’s foot is *behind *the plate. Looking at the play in real-time, it does seem that the runner’s hand is what moves the catcher’s foot, so he must have touched the plate.
In super slo-mo, it does appear that he missed the plate. But on the first run, I would have called him safe 10 times out of 10.
And FTR, I’m a Giants fan.
Man… for someone who should be shunned and ignored, people sure do love bringing him up out of nowhere.