patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Hazelwood Central Grad Surrounded by World Series Controversy

MLB Umpire Ron Kulpa has been questioned for his actions in two of the series' games.

  • How do you think Umpire Ron Kulpa has performed in the World Series?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • He's shown bias
        4 (14%)
    • He's done the best he can
        16 (57%)
    • He's been on point through the series
        8 (28%)
    Total votes: 28
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
 

World Series umpire and Hazelwood Central graduate Ron Kulpa has taken some serious heat from Games 3 and 4 of the series, and it seems that fans have straddled the love-hate line.

In addition, the question has continued to circle as to whether Kulpa, who still resides in the St. Louis metro area, has shown bias.

On Saturday, Kulpa—who served as first base umpire for the game—missed calling St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday out, when replays showed that first baseman Mike Napoli tagged him in time. The Cardinals went on to win the game, 16-7.

Following Game 3, Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre stood up for Kulpa and said, “That question hinted of questioning someone’s integrity. To have that question be asked, I just thought was over the line.”

Sunday, he served as home plate umpire. Some speculated that his strike zone was wide.

Furthermore, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz points out a number of facts about Kulpa’s strike zone in Game 4, such as, “Kulpa was accurate on about 95 percent of his ball-strike calls.”

St. Louis Cardinals play the Texas Rangers in Game 5 of the World Series at 7:05 p.m. Monday in Texas.

Related Topics: Controversial calls by umpire in World Series, Ron Kulpa, Ron Kulpa controversy, Umpire Ron Kulpa, and World Series 2011
What do you think? Tell us what your thoughts are on Kulpa’s job so far in the World Series. Tell us in the comments.

Leave a comment