If Major League Baseball’s expanded instant replay proceeds with as little fanfare as it did Monday at Citi Field, it will be a huge success. Shoot, MLB officials, anticipating considerable controversy, might even find themselves disappointed by the lack of chatter about it.
The first manager challenge in New York barely registered, as both the Mets and Nationals found themselves occupied by more pressing matters following the Mets’ 10-inning, 9-7 loss to Washington. It came courtesy of Nats rookie manager Matt Williams in the game’s last and extra frame.
In the top of the 10th, after the Nationals broke open a 5-5 tie with four runs, Danny Espinosa hit a slow roller toward third base. David Wright barehanded and whipped the ball to first baseman Lucas Duda. In a bang-bang play, first-base umpire Clint Fagan called Espinosa out to end the inning.
Williams used his challenge, and the umpiring crew upheld the call. As per the new system’s rules, Williams would have been without challenges for the duration of the game — a tidbit that became slightly more interesting when David Wright’s two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th pulled the Mets within 9-7.
The fans are supposed to be clued into the process, but the Citi Field scoreboard didn’t note the play was under review, and the game went forward with minimal buzz about what had just transpired.