We’ve got a classic “Oops!” moment from the world of MLB that reminds us all just how human even the guys behind the plate really are. Now look, being a home plate umpire is not for the faint of heart. These pitchers today are throwing sliders that disappear like ghosts, curveballs that defy physics, and fastballs that hit triple digits like it’s nothing. So yeah — mistakes happen. But this one was a doozy.
The Phantom Strike Three That Wasn’t
We’re talking about Wednesday night in Arlington. The Diamondbacks and Rangers were duking it out, and in the middle of all the action, umpire Derek Thomas — not to be confused with the legendary linebacker — had a moment he probably wishes he could erase.
Fifth inning. Two men on. Arizona’s Adrian Del Castillo steps up to the plate. The count is rolling along, and then — wham! — Thomas rings him up on what he thought was strike three. The classic fist-pump, the out signal, the whole bit. Except… it wasn’t strike three. Nope. It was strike two.
Quick Recovery and a Crucial Hit
Cue the confusion. Players look around. Dugouts perk up. But credit where it’s due — Thomas realized his mistake almost immediately. He backtracked, corrected the count, and allowed the at-bat to continue. Crisis averted… sorta.
Next pitch? Del Castillo smacks one into right field. Clean hit. Beautiful swing. And suddenly that extra pitch — that second chance — becomes a pretty important one. The Diamondbacks capitalize, pushing the action forward as momentum builds. That’s how fast things can flip in this game.
Redemption at the Plate For Umpire— Kind Of
And as if to tie a neat little bow on this umpiring rollercoaster, Thomas then nails an easy call at the plate when Ketel Marte gets thrown out trying to score. A moment of clarity after the confusion. A little professional bounce-back, if you will.
Now, let’s be real — umpires don’t live these moments down quickly. The locker room jabs? Oh, they’re coming. You know his buddies in blue are going to give him a hard time. “Hey Derek, need us to count for ya next game?” That kinda ribbing never gets old.
But in the end, it’s just another quirky chapter in the wild, unpredictable book of baseball. One pitch, one mistake, one extra chance — and suddenly the game flips. That’s why we love it. That’s why we watch.
