Jerry Layne
Encyclopedia
Jerry Blake Layne is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who has worked in the National League
between 1989 and 1999, and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wore uniform number 24 in the NL, but when MLB merged the AL and NL umpiring staffs in 2000, Layne was forced to switch to number 26, as AL umpire Al Clark, who wore 24 in the junior circuit, had more seniority. But when Clark was fired midway through the 2000 season by MLB, Layne reclaimed number 24 and has worn it ever since.
In October 2005, he umpired in his first World Series
. He was also the home plate umpire when Barry Bonds
hit his record 71st home run in , and for the no-hitter
pitched by Fernando Valenzuela
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
on June 29, 1990 at Dodger Stadium
.
and the Florida Marlins
. In the 8th inning, he was struck by the barrel of a broken bat swung by the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez
. Layne's injury delayed the game for 13 minutes, and he was carted off the field. X-rays were negative and Layne escaped serious injury, suffering only a bruised jaw.
On June 7th, 2008, Layne was the plate umpire where he sustained a mild concussion when he was hit by a foul ball in the top of the third inning of a game between the New York Yankees
and Kansas City Royals
.
nicked a ball off of his foot to St.Louis Cardinals third basemen David Freese
in Game 1 of the 2011 World Series
, which, by rule, is a dead ball. Layne ruled that Beltre was not touched by the ball and play continued, despite Beltre hopping around home plate as if in pain. Infrared replays showed that the ball appeared to have narrowly clipped Beltre's foot and that the ball should have been called foul or dead by virtue of batter's interference
. Layne inspected the ball after Rangers manager Ron Washington
argued the call; however Layne did not see any scuff from Beltre's shoe and upheld his original call.
On October 28, 2011, Layne was the plate umpire for Game 7 of the 2011 World Series
, as the St. Louis Cardinals
hosted the Texas Rangers
. During this contest, baseball's computerized Pitch f/x
system indicated Layne missed 17 ball/strike calls, with 14 of these calls benefiting the Cardinals and three benefiting the Rangers. Most notably, with St. Louis leading 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cardinals loaded the bases as Yadier Molina stepped to the plate with two outs. Molina took a 3-2 fastball from Scott Feldman for a called fourth ball, allowing a run to score as opposed to ending the inning had the pitch been called a strike. Pitch f/x indicates the pitch was located within the strike zone.
During the Rangers' ensuing at-bat in the top of the 6th inning, with Texas hitter Mike Napoli facing St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter, Layne called a strike on a pitch that was seemingly in the identical location as Feldman's full-count pitch to Molina in the previous inning, causing Napoli to question Layne's call, and causing FOX commentator Tim McCarver to make mention of Layne's inconsistent strike zone favoring St. Louis. The Cardinals would eventually win Game 7 and the World Series. Further evidence of Layne's inconsistent strike zone is shown by BrooksBaseball.net's strike zone plot of Game 7's called balls and strikes. It's important to note that over the past 5 seasons, prior to Game 7, St. Louis was 8-1 with a 2.00 ERA when Layne was the home plate umpire, while Texas was 1-6 with a 5.40 ERA when Layne worked the plate.
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who has worked in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
between 1989 and 1999, and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wore uniform number 24 in the NL, but when MLB merged the AL and NL umpiring staffs in 2000, Layne was forced to switch to number 26, as AL umpire Al Clark, who wore 24 in the junior circuit, had more seniority. But when Clark was fired midway through the 2000 season by MLB, Layne reclaimed number 24 and has worn it ever since.
In October 2005, he umpired in his first World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
. He was also the home plate umpire when Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
hit his record 71st home run in , and for the no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
pitched by Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on June 29, 1990 at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
.
Injuries
On August 18th, 2006, Layne was the plate umpire for a game between the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. In the 8th inning, he was struck by the barrel of a broken bat swung by the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez
Hanley Ramirez
Hanley Ramirez is a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Miami Marlins. Ramírez was named 2006 NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 2009, Ramírez won the NL batting title and is a three-time All-Star starter...
. Layne's injury delayed the game for 13 minutes, and he was carted off the field. X-rays were negative and Layne escaped serious injury, suffering only a bruised jaw.
On June 7th, 2008, Layne was the plate umpire where he sustained a mild concussion when he was hit by a foul ball in the top of the third inning of a game between the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Controversy
On October 19th, 2011, Layne was the plate umpire when Adrian BeltreAdrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers.The youngest player in the National League when he made his major league debut, he has also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Seattle Mariners , the Boston Red Sox , and the Texas Rangers . He bats and...
nicked a ball off of his foot to St.Louis Cardinals third basemen David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
in Game 1 of the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
, which, by rule, is a dead ball. Layne ruled that Beltre was not touched by the ball and play continued, despite Beltre hopping around home plate as if in pain. Infrared replays showed that the ball appeared to have narrowly clipped Beltre's foot and that the ball should have been called foul or dead by virtue of batter's interference
Interference (baseball)
In baseball, interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators; each type of interference is covered differently by...
. Layne inspected the ball after Rangers manager Ron Washington
Ron Washington
Ronald Washington is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and the current manager of the Texas Rangers. Prior to managing the Rangers, Washington coached in the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics organizations.-Playing career:Washington was signed by the Kansas City Royals on July 17, 1970...
argued the call; however Layne did not see any scuff from Beltre's shoe and upheld his original call.
On October 28, 2011, Layne was the plate umpire for Game 7 of the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
, as the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
hosted the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. During this contest, baseball's computerized Pitch f/x
Pitch f/x
PITCHf/x, created and maintained by Sportvision, is a system that tracks the trajectories of pitched baseballs. This system, which made its debut in the 2006 MLB playoffs, is installed in every MLB stadium.- Usage :...
system indicated Layne missed 17 ball/strike calls, with 14 of these calls benefiting the Cardinals and three benefiting the Rangers. Most notably, with St. Louis leading 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cardinals loaded the bases as Yadier Molina stepped to the plate with two outs. Molina took a 3-2 fastball from Scott Feldman for a called fourth ball, allowing a run to score as opposed to ending the inning had the pitch been called a strike. Pitch f/x indicates the pitch was located within the strike zone.
During the Rangers' ensuing at-bat in the top of the 6th inning, with Texas hitter Mike Napoli facing St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter, Layne called a strike on a pitch that was seemingly in the identical location as Feldman's full-count pitch to Molina in the previous inning, causing Napoli to question Layne's call, and causing FOX commentator Tim McCarver to make mention of Layne's inconsistent strike zone favoring St. Louis. The Cardinals would eventually win Game 7 and the World Series. Further evidence of Layne's inconsistent strike zone is shown by BrooksBaseball.net's strike zone plot of Game 7's called balls and strikes. It's important to note that over the past 5 seasons, prior to Game 7, St. Louis was 8-1 with a 2.00 ERA when Layne was the home plate umpire, while Texas was 1-6 with a 5.40 ERA when Layne worked the plate.