MLB teams
Gordon Edes, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

John Farrell fined for replay criticism

MLB, Boston Red Sox

CHICAGO -- Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Wednesday's game that he was fined in excess of $1,000 by the commissioner's office for his comments critical of MLB's replay system. A major league source said the amount was $2,500.

Farrell said he was given the option of making a donation for that amount to the Baseball Assistance Team and planned to do so.

Farrell said of the new replay system following Sunday's game in New York that "it's hard to have any faith in the system, to be honest with you."

Farrell became the first manager in the major leagues to be ejected for disputing a play that was reviewed on replay Sunday in New York after umpires reversed their call on what would have been an inning-ending double play in the fourth inning of a 3-2 Red Sox loss to the Yankees. Once the call was reversed, the Yankees were credited with a run that would not have counted had the original call stood.

In the previous day's game, Farrell asked umpires to review a call at second base, where Dean Anna of the Yankees was deemed to have arrived safely on a double to right field. Farrell said he saw video replays that showed Anna lifting his foot off the bag while Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was applying the tag; replays shown on networks broadcasting the game showed similar images. But after a replay review, umpires allowed the call to stand. MLB admitted Saturday night the call should have been reversed.

"My comments were based on what we experienced in New York," Farrell said Wednesday after acknowledging that he'd been fined. "I do know with anything that is new and is as substantial as this system, you would think there are going to be some adjustments as we live it. I'm sure there's a lot that's being discussed, and not just because of those plays."

Asked if he was satisfied with the feedback he got after speaking with MLB officials this week, Farrell said, "Yeah, again, there are a lot of smart people involved and everyone who is involved cares deeply about how we improve the game and expect if adjustments are deemed necessary, the appropriate ones will be made."

^ Back to Top ^