The Worst Call Ever!: The Most Infamous Calls Ever Blown by Referees, Umpires, and Other Blind Officials

I read this book through the day that I got it, and I loved it. The book features 94 separate instances, grouped by sport, of some of the worst referee and umpire decisions ever made in sports (and there is even a "Potpourri" section for all those other fringe sports, like curling, tennis, etc.). There is at least one of those that I have happened to observe for myself: the 1985 World Series Game 6 call from 1st base umpire Don Denkinger that the Kansas City runner was safe, when ABC's replays showed (proved, even) that the K.C. runner was clearly out. Even the ABC announcers agreed that the runner was out. The call, however, was not changed, despite passionate protests from St. Louis manager Whitey Herzog, pitcher Todd Worrell, and others. This was just part of the chain reaction that led to K.C. winning this game, and then the World Series title, 11-0, in the final game. The final game is one that I'd love to see for myself; in that one, Don Denkinger was behind the plate, and the Cardinals belittled and cursed him virtually all game long, leading to, among other things, St. Louis pitcher Joaquin Andujar being ejected after arguing about Denkinger's strike zone. To me, any argument with an umpire in baseball, even about balls and strikes (although those arguments are illegal), makes for 5-star entertainment (and I will admit that I am among the minority in that). All that aside, this book makes for some engrossing reading. I think, however, that the call that was made against Milwaukee's Robin Yount at third in the top of the 4th of Game 7 of the '82 Series should have been considered blown and one of the worst. I thought that the knee-block applied against him was obstruction, and I expected Robin to argue it, even. Robin, however, just got up and went back to the dugout as if nothing ever happened. Still, despite that, I give this book a 5-star rating, and I strongly recommend this book for purchase if you're interested in finding out about the referee and umpire decisions that changed the course of the sports where they happened.

I originally was buying this book to give to sports-minded family and friends...and then started reading it myself. When an author can write with such wit, knowledge, and intelligence AND keep a non-sports-minded person like myself fascinated to the final page, that is saying A LOT! This is written in a style that makes me think I am sitting in the author's living room simply chatting about some very interesting, and oftentimes controversial, referee and umpire calls.

I bought this book as an afterthought because I umpire high school baseball. As a sports fan, I have enjoyed each chapter on the different sports. The author sets up the blown call(s) very well to illustrate why the calls were magnified (e.g., playoffs, national championship implications, etc.), and with a good dose of humor. The selection of blown calls is subjective, and some may disagree with inclusions and/or exclusions. Regardless, this is an excellent book for any sports fan.

Great read. . . Easy read. . . for even the casual sports fan like myself! Well-written.

Great idea for a book! I still get mad when I think about that call in the 1985 World Series that robbed my Cardinals. Thanks, guys, for digging up that pain. Seriously, this is a really good book. I recommend it for anyone who likes sports.