In the second most controversial play of the Twins’ season (after that weird double play in Kansas City a few weeks ago), an 11th-inning foul ball hit by second baseman Luis Rivas was mistakenly called a home run, paving the way for a 5-4 Minnesota victory in Montreal. The ball was foul by “several feet,” according to notorious Star Tribune beat writer LaVelle E. Neal III.
The noted non-slugger Rivas apparently is only able to hit home runs that are foul, which brings to mind that Garrison Keillor story about the baseball player who had the ability to hit a foul ball anywhere he wanted in the stadium, so he bopped 28 of them in a row onto the home plate umpire’s head.
Expos manager Frank Robinson went ballistic after the miscall, but the Expos’ owner was much quieter. Probably because he doesn’t exist.
Posted by Stephen Silver at June 17, 2004 06:03 PM