The Right Call

A very strange ending for a World Series game, but the bottom line is, the umpires got this call correct.
The Cardinals have 2nd and 3rd and one out with the scored tied 4-4 in the bottom of the 9th. John Jay hits a hard grounder, Dustin Pedroia grabs it, fires home to get Yadier Molina. Jarrod Saltalamacchia sees an injured Allen Craig limping to third and throws it down there, his throw gets away from Middlebrooks and as Craig gets up to try to score, he trips over the feet of Middlebrooks. He gets up again and runs home but is thrown out.
The Red Sox think they've just pulled off a miraculous double play but in fact third base umpire Jim Joyce called Middlebrooks for obstruction. The run scores and the Cardinals win.

I agree that it's an unfortunate way for a World Series game to end, but it was absolutely the right call. Intent does not matter, even the baseline doesn't really matter. All that matters is that the fielder obstructed the runner's path.

And it's not even one of those calls that they can ignore because of the pressure of the moment. If it hadn't been called the outcry this morning would be twice as loud, as the umpires would have blown what was essentially an obvious call.

If you're a Cardinals fan you're thrilled. If you are a Red Sox fan you're furious. If you just love baseball then you're probably a little disappointed but you got to see something you've never seen before.