His team's season had just ended in the American League Division Series, and before the New York Yankees exited, veteran lefthander CC Sabathia wanted to vent.
"I need to say this," Sabathia told reporters at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night after New York's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox in Game 4. "I don't think Angel Hernandez should be umping playoff games. He's absolutely terrible. He was terrible behind the plate today. He was terrible at first base. It's amazing how he's getting a job umpiring in these playoff games."
Later, when asked if Hernandez had been inconsistent that night, Sabathia added, "Always. He's bad. I don't understand why he's doing these games."
In the ALDS, Hernandez made three calls at first base Monday night in Game 3 that replay reviews overturned. Tuesday night, players and managers chirped at him all night. Further raising his profile and adding another layer to the series, Hernandez is suing Major League Baseball for discrimination.
For many fans, Hernandez's presence and performance in the ALDS spurred the same question Sabathia raised: If he's so bad, why is he umpiring in the playoffs?
MLB chooses its October umpires based on regular-season performance, previous playoff experience, crew compatibility and other smaller factors. The league tries to create balanced crews, mixing umpires who excel on the bases with those who are judged better at calling balls and strikes, for example.
Hernandez, an MLB umpire for 25 years, had worked nine Division Series before this year, seven Championship Series and two World Series, most recently in 2005.
Price still in rotation
Boston manager Alex Cora is sticking with David Price, saying Wednesday the lefthander will start Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against Houston despite his 0-9 record as a starter in the postseason.
