Houston Sports: Three absolute worst officiating calls in history
What if Craig Reynolds was called safe?
The 1986 NLCS between the Houston Astros and New York Mets was one of the greatest postseason series ever. But while it will be best remembered for the epic Game 6 that saw the Astros lose 7-6 in 16 innings to end their season, there was a play that could’ve prevented Game 6 going the way it did.
It happened in the top of the second inning of Game 5 when the Astros had runners at the corners and one out in a scoreless game. Dwight Gooden was pitching to Craig Reynolds, who bounced into a grounder to second. In what was a close call at the plate, umpire Fred Brocklander called Reynolds out.
If you watch the link carefully, you would assume that had instant replay been around, Reynolds would’ve been safe and the Astros would’ve had a 1-0 lead. But while no one talks about it, this is what happened. Each team scored a run in the fifth and it would be another seven innings before the Mets won on a walk-off single in the bottom of the twelfth winning 2-1. This, in turn, set up Game 6 where we all know what happened.
Now what if Reynolds was called safe at first? What a treat that would’ve been for Houston Sports.
My Ruling
The Astros win Game 5 2-1 to lead 3-2 in the series. Then they finish the Mets in either Game 6 or 7. Houston then goes on to beat the Boston Red Sox in seven hard fought games to win their first-ever World Series title. The following year, they return to the World Series where they sit and watch the other teams cry with the Twins in seven-game because it was a dome-field advantage for both teams.
Okay! Houston Sports fans — here’s another one.