Umpire hijinks have long plagued baseball fans. Usually one of the most respected professions, fans have been irked by some decisions lately. And the recent Chicago White Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals game had some tearing their hair out.

Both teams have been underperforming this year, but fans have been especially crestfallen at the White Sox’s performance in recent years. The first month of the 2023 season saw them end with a 10-game losing streak, and they have been unable to pull themselves up since then. And a recent viral video of a moment from the game didn’t help.

The White Sox’ designated hitter Eloy Jimenez strikes out in bizarre fashion

Eloy Jimenez had a strange experience at the game yesterday. Facing Cardinals lefty Steven Matz, Jimenez tried to request a time-out to adjust his position. But the umpire ignored his call, and Matz threw the ball, anyway. The batter had fouled off a couple of pitches and didn’t want to face the third one yet.

So he walked out of the batter’s box and continued toward the dugout as the umpire refused his call, calling it strike three. Jimenez had some words to say to the ump later, but the call was not overturned. As MLB heads for the All-Star break, the White Sox are 38-54 with the latest 4-3 loss to St. Louis. 

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The outfielder has not been having the best season, as he started it with a stint on the injury list, and his team has been floundering as well. Some disgruntled fans stood by Jimenez’s side over the incident, while some sided with the Cardinals.

Chicago White Sox fans are angry at the ump

While it appeared that the batter had tried to call time, the ump seemingly didn’t grant it. Some fans criticized the ruling as another bad umpire call in a series of disappointments.

One couldn’t help but mock the fact that Jimenez keeps facing the IL.

Others defended the decision, calling out Jimenez for making the call a little too late. While some have criticized Matz for getting into motion before the batter was ready, others are of the point of view that Jimenez should have asked for a time-out earlier.

Whether Jimenez or the umpire was in the wrong, what’s done is done. While the first half of the season has gone terribly for Chicago, let’s see if the team pulls itself out of this funk in the second half.

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