CB Buckner’s Controversial Call Sparks Laughter and Critique
Just a few days into the MLB season, CB Buckner is already drawing attention—though perhaps not in the way he’d like.
During a game on Tuesday, the veteran umpire ruled that Milwaukee’s Jake Bowers missed first base and called him out after tagging him during the Brewers’ 6-2 victory over the Rays. The catch? Bowers was clearly touching the base when the decision was made, and Buckner was apparently not even looking in the right direction.
The decision prompted an immediate challenge and was quickly overturned. You could see players and managers from both teams laughing at the situation, and broadcasters didn’t hold back either, mocking Buckner on air.
This unfolded in the sixth inning when there were two outs. Bowers hit a line drive at the plate, and Rays second baseman Ben Williamson attempted to make a throw for the out. But Williamson’s throw went awry, allowing Bowers to reach first base, or so it seemed—until Buckner bizarrely insisted the Brewers’ first baseman had missed the base.
As the replay rolled on Brewers’ broadcasts, it was evident that Bowers clearly stepped on the base while Buckner was fixated on the ball instead of the runner. The situation was further compounded by Brewers manager Pat Murphy and Rays skipper Kevin Cash sharing a laugh over the absurdity of the call.
“I think it was a terrible call. Where was CB Buckner looking? … He wasn’t even watching the play,” commented Brewers play-by-play announcer Jeff Levering during the broadcast.
Following the overturned call, Bowers moved to second base, and Brandon Lockridge then brought him home with a double, pushing Milwaukee further ahead with a 5-2 lead.
Earlier in the week, Buckner had already faced criticism. He had six calls overturned via the automatic ball strike system during a game between the Reds and Red Sox, leaving him in an awkward position all weekend.
This incident isn’t exactly new for Buckner, who has been a major league umpire since 1996, making him the second-longest tenured umpire, just behind Phil Cousy.
