The Washington Nationals faced off against the rival Philadelphia Phillies yesterday. But it was umpire Lew Williams who commanded the spotlight instead of the players – for all the wrong reasons.
Williams, who was brought up from Triple-A as a temporary umpire, found himself at the center of controversy after a series of badly-blown calls that left the entire baseball world baffled.
Williams’ performance was truly inexplicable in the first game of the doubleheader. He went 0-for-3 on challenged calls – all of which weren’t even necessarily that close.
The first blown call came in the second inning when Washington’s Ildemaro Vargas was running to first base. A wild throw by Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler led to Vargas being called out, much to the dismay of the Nationals.
However, upon review, it was revealed that Bryce Harper’s foot had come off the bag, and Vargas should have been ruled safe. The overturned call proved to be a game-changer, giving the Nationals a second chance at bat.
Here's the first blown call from Lew Williams during the Nationals-Phillies game. pic.twitter.com/axK4R5ae1d
— Ryan Reynolds (@coolsportsvids) August 8, 2023
In the third inning, another contentious call unfolded as Nick Castellanos of the Phillies was called out at first base.
The Phillies challenged the call, and upon review, it became evident that Castellanos had indeed beaten the throw. The umpire’s original decision was reversed, and Castellanos was rightfully deemed safe.
Absolutely brutal sequence from umpire Lew Williams:
Part 1: While Ildemaro Vargas makes a great play on a Nick Castellanos grounder, Castellanos easily beat the throw
Williams called him out. It was overturned. pic.twitter.com/AJn3tCX3ep
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 8, 2023
Just when the painful incompetence seemed over, lightning struck again.
Castellanos, for the second time in the game, found himself at the center of a contested play at first base. This time, it was a pickoff attempt by Washington’s starter Trevor Williams that led to Castellanos being called out.
Unsurprisingly, the Phillies challenged the call, and once more, the replay exposed the umpire’s mistake. Castellanos’ hand had grazed the bag before the tag, securing his safety on the base.
Part 2: Trevor Williams throws over to first base. Williams again rules Castellanos out. The Phillies again challenge.
Not quite as bad as the previous play. But this, too, was overturned.
Unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia fans were not happy with the umpire. pic.twitter.com/n4wE4VsbHp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 8, 2023
Despite the umpire’s blunders, the Phillies managed to hold their ground and emerged victorious with an 8-4 win over the Nationals.
The outcome was not directly influenced by the blown calls, however, Williams’ horrific umpiring performance was all everyone was talking about. (Not exactly the publicity that Williams was hoping for.)
What is the worst umpiring performance you’ve ever seen?