NBC announcer John Schriffen produced an epic speech when a Chicago White Sox game ended in controversial fashion.
Schriffen is in his first year as a White Sox player on NBC Sport Chicago, but his name is sure to spread after that.
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The White Sox came from 8-2 down to trail 8-6 against the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of Thursday’s ninth MLB game when the incident occurred.
After Baltimore’s Yennier Canó struck out Zach DeLoach in the first inning, the Orioles called up closer Craig Kimbrel to end the game.
Kimbrel got Andrew Benintendi to come up in what appeared to be the second inning of the inning. But there was more than that.
Benintendi threw the ball to Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson, causing an infield fly to be called. Despite this, Henderson caught the ball.
There was briefly some confusion in the stadium – and in the commentary booth – when it became clear that the referees were saying the game was over.
Third base umpire Junior Valentine ruled that Chicago’s Andrew Vaughn, who was at second base, interfered with Henderson. Even though it was an infield fly and Henderson caught the ball, the interference was an additional out, which ended the game.
Schriffen was incandescent and in the mood to warn viewers until he finally joked about wanting to keep his job.
“No. They can’t end the game like this. No way,” said Schriffen.
“Adrian Johnson, as team boss, you have to take over here.
“This cannot be how this game ends. They called the inside flight rule and then called Andrew Vaughn at second for obstructing Henderson on short notice.
Color commentator Steve Stone called the decision a “terrible decision” and Schriffen left again as White Sox manager Pedro Grifol continued to discuss the decision.
“We’ve seen some bad decisions this season. That’s one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen,” Schriffen said.
“This is terrible. Pedro is still talking to the team boss, Adrian Johnson. This doesn’t even make sense.
“Vaughn is returning to the bag with his back to the defender. And they ended the game like this? Come on! What nonsense is this?
No. They can’t end the game like this. No way.
John Schriffen
“I don’t even have words right now. I’m lost. And I’m trying to keep my job, so I’m not going to say anything.
“Steve, it’s been a night. Let’s send it to the postgame show. I don’t even know what it was.”
Grifol later said he had a problem with the rule, not the referees’ decision.
“Their shortstop had plenty of time to catch the baseball, and then if you want to talk about the runner, well, how does he know what the fielder is doing behind him?” Grifol said.
“He just looked at the ball, the ball goes up, he goes back to the bag.
“He didn’t make contact on purpose. He wasn’t trying to stop Gunnar from getting the ball. He wasn’t doing that.
“It has nothing to do with how the referees called the play. I just have a problem with the rule.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
