Yankees Fans Demand Firing of Controversial Umpire After Blatantly Incorrect Call Sparks Outrage

The umpiring drama with the Yankees just doesn’t seem to end. Well, ever since the first game against the Astros, it’s been one controversy after another, and the series finale isn’t shaping up to be any different. To start September, the Yankees and Astros kicked off a set that could easily be a playoff preview. New York opened strong with a 7-1 win in game one, but then dropped game two in a wild 8-7 loss. However, the frustrating part wasn’t just the loss itself; it was the way it happened.

Notably, fans, players, and coaches were all livid over the umpiring, from questionable strike-zone calls to a baffling balk on Camilo Doval that left everyone scratching their heads. And now, in game three, another controversial call, once again involving umpire Brian Walsh, is pushing Yankees fans to the edge of their patience.

“Brian Walsh rules that Ryan McMahon did not catch this ball, and after a conversation with the other umpire, the call on the field stands,” Talkin’ Yanks shared a video from today’s game.

In the sixth inning, with the Yankees 4-1 up, Ryan McMahon took a catch in the infield that visibly slipped away from his glove. However, it was not before he took the catch. And the replay shows there’s no touching the ground, and the ball went directly to his gloves. But offering a deja vu from the previous 2 games, Walsh called it a no-catch. And the Yankees’ clubhouse was left stunned.

Now, having had enough of the error calls, Yankees fans are raising their voice to fire the controversial umpire. And just yesterday, his photo donning a Red Sox jersey went viral, and the calls just got enough momentum. While Walsh ended up taking down his Facebook page after those photos started making the rounds, so far, the MLB Umpires Association hasn’t said a word about them. Still, the fans are not in the mood to give up so easily.

The home plate umpire gets called out by the Yankees fans

Fans are wondering if Brian Walsh is the worst umpire they have seen for the Yankees. “This guy’s the worst ump I’ve ever seen. Even Angel Hernandez wasn’t this bad,” one fan said. “That is the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” added another. Well, Angel Hernandez is widely regarded as one of the most criticized umpires in recent memory. He frequently landed at the bottom of accuracy and consistency rankings. For instance, in 2024, he was ranked 76th out of 85 umpires in expected correct call differential. While Walsh is not yet in that stage, Yankees fans seem to have had enough.

“He did catch it,” one fan shows his confidence over McMahon’s catch. But a few more fans are not stopping from taking out the umpire. Rather, they are demanding that the umpire be fired. “How on earth is this guy allowed in the league?” One fan wonders how such an umpire could officiate a do-or-die game for the Yankees. “This Walsh guy needs to be removed,” another user shared the same emotion. It is now up to MLB to gauge the performance of Walsh and make a decision accordingly. Remember Umpire Fieldin Culbreth? Back in 2013, Culbreth made a pitcher change without the proper batter having faced the new pitcher, misapplying Baseball Rule 3.05(b). As a result, MLB suspended Culbreth for two games. So, let’s see what’s in line this time.

But for the Yankees, it’s still far from over.