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NEW YORK – Jose Caballero’s year-long pitch clock saga took a weird turn Wednesday.
During the Yankees’ 10-inning first game loss to the Pirates, Caballero had an automatic strike called against him, apparently for deceiving the pitcher.
It occurred during one of the shortstop’s usual stall-to-the-max tactics, but the Yankees were not previously informed of a new MLB interpretation of the rule.
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“Doesn’t make sense…I’m not trying to trick (anyone),’’ Caballero said after going 0-for-4 in Pittsburgh’s 5-3 win. “I do the same thing over and over, you can check…my last 100, 150 at-bats.
“If you’re going to make a change in the rule, at least notify us before the game, not (during) the game.’’
Manager Aaron Boone called it “embarrassing’’ action by the league, and its umpires essentially admitted to a pool reporter they were laying-in-wait for Caballero on Wednesday.
“We were instructed not to warn (Caballero). We were instructed to violate him,’’ said crew chief Adrian Johnson. “That’s what it is. It’s a violation.’’
Umps: Caballero was warned before
Once the clock starts, a batter must engage the pitcher by the eight-second mark or else it’s an automatic strike.
But there is some gray area in the rule's interpretation; last month at Toronto, crew chief John Tumpane warned Caballero for intentionally delaying the game but did not call an automatic strike.
Afterward, Boone received better clarification from the league, and informed Caballero to “make sure you’re looking up at nine (seconds) so you’re alert at eight.
“That’s how we’ve been guided through it,’’ Boone said. “Today was different.’’
Following the automatic strike, Caballero took a third strike, ending the sixth inning with a runner on first, with Pittsburgh leading 2-0.
“From our vantage point, Caballero circumvented the pitch clock rules. It’s been an issue before,’’ said Johnson. “He’s been warned about it.’’
On Monday night, Caballero’s annoying-but-legal stall tactics angered Pirates reliever Dennis Santana, who charged toward him – starting a quick benches-clearing incident.
Santana was the aggressor (there were no ejections) and Caballero wasn’t in violation of the rule.
However, Johnson cited Monday night’s event as being the last straw for Caballero.
“It’s not allowed anymore. It was the cause of a benches-clearing situation,’’ said Johnson. “Major League Baseball stepped in. They want it enforced.’’
A flabbergasted Boone said, “I’m going to plead the fifth here,’’ while Caballero felt singled out.
“I can name players that I’ve seen deceiving the pitcher,’’ said Caballero, adding he does not. “But they don’t call it on them. They call it on me.’’
Caballero feels singled out
As the Yankees mentioned, pitchers are allowed to hold the ball until their pitch clock limits, so why isn’t a batter afforded the same?
This is where Caballero’s extreme actions enter in.
“There’s no other hitter that gets in the box (and) takes the amount of time that Caballero does while looking down and not making eye contact with the pitcher,’’ said first game plate ump Quinn Wolcott, who called the violation.
“Obviously, it’s caused a lot of problems in the past. It’s not going to be allowed anymore.’’
Caballero affirmed he might have to look up a second earlier to be sure he’s engaged.
He’s not keen on changing his routine, but “my strength is being a ballplayer. I’ve been playing baseball without clocks my whole life.
“They’re the ones who invented this clock thing. They don’t know what to do with their rule now.’’
Odd balk by Gerrit Cole
Also during Wednesday’s visiting sixth inning, Gerrit Cole was called for a balk that incensed the Yankees’ ace.
But it was technically a balk; Cole broke his hands at the set position, while on the pitching plate.
The reason?
Cole saw the pitch clock behind the plate turn off at the seven-second mark.
“I was tracking the clock and holding the runner,’’ said Cole, who was “startled.’’ But, “it is my fault, I broke.’’
Cole couldn’t plead his case, though, that he was “startled’’ into the balk, called by Johnson at second base.
“I can’t really do anything when none of the umpires are watching the clock. And none of them see it,’’ said Cole, who would pitch out of the runner at second, one out spot – crediting the calming words of catcher Austin Wells.
“It’s a tough break,’’ said Cole, adding that next time, “I’ll make sure I step my foot off (the pitching plate) before I inform everyone that the clock is broken.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Jose Caballero pitch clock controversy hits absurd new level
