When fans see the names of certain umpires on game assignments, they’ve come to expect a share of controversy. Phil Cuzzi is absolutely one of those umpires.
Cuzzi, of course, was the umpire at the center of Max Scherzer’s ejection for using sticky substances despite Scherzer’s adamant claim that he was only using sweat and rosin. Cuzzi also baited Gabe Kapler into an ejection last season. It’s nothing new for him.
But at the very least, fans and players want umpires to call games consistently and accurately. Cuzzi fell short there on Sunday with Astros reliever Matt Gage on the mound. As Gage was facing the Mariners’ J.P. Crawford, Cuzzi stopped play to call a balk on Gage.
Phil Cuzzi, Emphatic Balk Demonstration pic.twitter.com/g4ylawIFqC
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 7, 2023
It turned out, though, that Gage’s delivery from the stretch was a mirror image with the previous pitch (not called a balk).
These are back-to-back pitches (same batter/runners).
<———not called a balk called a balk———> pic.twitter.com/K0bxS3hRIX— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 8, 2023
Cuzzi seemed to think that Gage started his movement towards the plate, but we can see that he didn’t. His regular act of coming set includes a pair of steps back with that front leg. He wasn’t starting his progression towards the plate or attempting to deceive the runner. Basically, it was the wrong call from Cuzzi, and he made the game about himself with the demonstration.
Gage would eventually strike out Crawford to end the inning, but fans weren’t thrilled with Cuzzi’s antics at all.
This was how Twitter reacted
Here’s another view of the side by side of Gage’s movement each pitch.
Not only did Cuzzi make it about himself, he was dead wrong about the balk call. When is the league going to hold these umpires accountable?pic.twitter.com/smd4CTILDm
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) May 8, 2023
Terrible call especially when you have other pitchers rocking their whole body back and forth and never get called for a balk. https://t.co/eFwhjE5fGL
— Barry E Breckle (@breckbear) May 8, 2023
The umpire should be reprimanded. https://t.co/y9WOsWogMJ
— Jacob Zolman (@jacobzolman) May 8, 2023
Can I get an explanation please? Thinking Phil needs to be better! https://t.co/Pu9hKM0uxU
— Jeff Karstens (@karstens27) May 8, 2023
I don't see a balk in either one. https://t.co/x0WErDZHoM
— Balk Whisperer (@balkwhisperer) May 8, 2023
Phil Cuzzi turning into the worst ump in the league https://t.co/9YINBAbDmF
— Adam Ayala (@adam_ayala) May 8, 2023
The balk may be the dumbest, most subjective, call in all of sports. 💯👇 https://t.co/tm2pJPHdCf
— ForTheCity_412 (@JimStamm22) May 8, 2023
Angel Hernandez has competition https://t.co/fBCI4bPlf7
— Vindawg (@vindawg2197) May 8, 2023
Phil Cuzzi at it again! https://t.co/Y99Z7mFK50
— Parker Curry (@parkercurry2) May 8, 2023
Cuzzi needs to be better.
