MILWAUKEE — A day removed from a bang-bang play at first base in which Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun beat out an infield single to win the game, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was searching for some changes to the MLB instant-replay system.
“We think they should change the system around,” Mattingly said. “If the (game umpire) calls it safe, and they look at the play and the (official in New York) calls it safe, then the call stands. The (official in New York) shouldn’t know what the original call was. We should take the human element out of it.”
With the game tied 3-3 on Monday night, two outs and the go-ahead run on third, Braun hit a chopper to Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, and appeared to just beat out the throw at first base, scoring the go-ahead run from third. Braun was initially ruled safe by first base umpire Paul Emmel, and the Dodgers challenged the call.
There did not seem to be a definitive angle on replay that showed Braun as conclusively safe or out, and after reviewing the play in New York, replay officials determined there was not sufficient evidence to overturn the call of safe, and the call on the field stood.
“The ‘stands’ things has got to go,” said Mattingly. “Let’s forget the ‘let it stand.’ You’ve got 14 different angles, just make a call. Safe or out.”
Mattingly is understandably frustrated with the current replay system, as the Dodgers haven’t enjoyed much success challenging plays so far this year. To this point in the season, the Dodgers have only won 20 percent of their challenges (1-for-5), compared to the MLB average of 43.5 percent (83-for-191).
One difficulty of Mattingly’s proposed changes is that replay officials in New York would still be able to see the umpire’s original call in the video frames being reviewed, potentially biasing their decision and letting a call “stand.”
“There are some wrinkles in my plan,” Mattingly admitted with a chuckle. “But you’ve got to take the human element out. Just make a call. They call him safe, or they call him out.”