BREAKING: Xander Bogaerts, shortstop for the San Diego Padres, expressed frustration over a critical missed call during the ninth inning of the Padres’ Game 3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on October 5, 2023. With the Padres trailing 3-0, Bogaerts struck out looking on a pitch that many, including him, believed was outside the strike zone. This pivotal moment has reignited discussions about the upcoming implementation of the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) in Major League Baseball.
The call came at a crucial time. Following a home run by Jackson Merrill that narrowed the Cubs’ lead to 3-1, Bogaerts faced a 3-2 count against Cubs pitcher Brad Keller. His fastball, clocked at 97 mph, was deemed a strike by home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn, prompting visible disbelief from Bogaerts and a rapid response from Padres manager Mike Shildt, who charged out of the dugout in protest.
Had Bogaerts walked, the Padres would have had a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and no outs. Instead, the Cubs’ pitcher hit two consecutive batters before bringing in reliever Andrew Kittredge, who swiftly retired the next two batters, sealing the Cubs’ victory and their advancement to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.
“It’s a ball. Messed up the whole game, you know?” Bogaerts told reporters after the game, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I mean, can’t go back in time and talking about it now won’t change anything. So it was bad, and thank God for ABS next year, because this is terrible.”
As the MLB gears up to adopt the ABS system next season, the urgency surrounding its introduction has garnered increased attention. The automated system will allow teams to challenge calls made by home-plate umpires, with each team permitted two challenges per game. This change follows years of testing in the minors and during spring training, indicating a significant shift in how the game will be officiated moving forward.
Thursday’s disappointing loss capped a 90-win season for the Padres, marking their fourth playoff appearance in six years. Despite their strong performance throughout the season, the team has struggled to progress beyond the NL Championship Series in this recent era.
Bogaerts reflected on the season, saying, “We had a lot of fun. We competed with each other. We had guys that got injuries, a lot of guys stepped up. We traded for some really great people at the deadline. … It was fun until today.” His sentiments resonate with fans and players alike, highlighting the emotional impact of the game and the high stakes involved in playoff baseball.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on how the Padres address their playoff shortcomings and the potential impact of the ABS system on future games. Fans eagerly await the new technology, hoping it will bring more fairness to the game and prevent missed calls that could alter the course of critical matches.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and watch for more insights into how the new officiating system will change Major League Baseball in 2024.
