Has a Major League umpire ever reversed his decision after a coach or player talked with him?

Answer 1

Many times, usually involving ground rules and/or fair or foul balls for homeruns. The manager will usually request of the umpire making the call to check with the other umpires. The umpiring group would not hesitate to overturn the call to get it right.

Answer 2

It does happen especially if the umpire knows he blew the call, but I can promise you it has never happened after a manager goes on a tirade throwing bases and lobbing rosin grenades towards home plate.

The big issue for umpires is that if they reverse a call after some complaining, that opens the door for every call to be argued because managers will take a mile after being given an inch. Also, reversing a call is going to get the opposing manager out and in his face.

Normally, argued calls don't have much influence on the game and if the umpire knows he screwed up, he will give the call back later in the game to even things out. Both managers know it will be coming sooner or later, they just hope it doesn't affect the outcome directly.

Answer 3

Yes (and it's 'manager' in baseball) and the most hilarious time was 1963. After the worst year ever in 1962, the Mets were still really bad. The poster child for the team was Marvelous Marvin Throneberry, who once committed 3 errors on one play and once stole second base -- with the sacks full.
Well, one day Marv (who really wasn't all that bad, but things just kept happening to him) really smacked one and hit a home run. The other team -- long forgotten -- called for the ball at first base where the ump called him out.
Out came the immortal manager Casey Stengel to argue the call and, wonder of wonders, the ump reversed himself and Marv had the home run back.
Then the team called for the ball at second base and, you guessed it. Marv missed that one, too, and Casey couldn't get that one reverse. Out # 1.

Answer 4

Billy Martin got a George Brett home run overturned into a out... which got appealed, and the league president (they still existed back then) over-overturned it, and the game had to be finished at a later date. (The Royals' charter landed in NYC, Brett stayed on the plane in protest, the rest of the ninth was played with several out-of-position players*, the Royals won.) It has become well-known as The Pine Tar Game. Very strange game.

* Including Don Mattingly at 2B. Those wondering when was the last left-handed throwing non-1B infielder, this is probably it.

Answer 5

Gil Hodges got an umpire to change his call in 1969. The batter, I think it was Cleon Jones was hit on the foot with a pitch, the ump ruled it a ball until Hodges showed him the ball. The ball had conveniently rolled over near the Mets dugout and Hodges was able to show the ump that it had black shoe polish on it. I'm thinking this happened during the World Series but I'm not sure.

Answer 6

Very, very, rarely, but I believe there have been occasions where a manager actually knew the rules better than the ump and reversed a called, I don't have a specific example though. However, you will never see an ump change a judgment call, like safe or out or ball or strike because of the manager arguing.

Answer 7

Yes, it happens somewhat often. Usually a manager will come out and argue with the ump that made the original call and ask the ump to ask if any of the other guys saw the play differently. Sometimes this leads to a reversal of the call. This also leads to the other manager coming out and usually getting ejected for cursing out the Ump.

Answer 8

Yes. Not on balls and strikes because that gets you tossed. But watching the Braves pretty much since birth, I have seen home runs reversed and also outs reversed. Sometimes they will then confer with the other umps who may have gotten a better look. In any case, there is always an unhappy party.

Answer 9

I really don't think they can, it would cause them to look weak. However, they can get the opinion of one of the other umpires on the field that may have had a better view of a certain play and let them overrule their original call.

Answer 10

Ive never heard of that happening but im sure its possible or the manager wouldnt go screaming at him just to get thrown out knowing hte call wont be changed.