1. Jackson definitely interferes with the throw to first base. He admitted as much years later after denying it at the time.
2. However, it’s hard to blame the umpires in that case. I wouldn’t even consider it a blown call. Jackson’s interference was so subtle that it would have been damn near impossible for an umpire to see it in real time without the benefit of instant replay. The chaotic nature of the play didn’t help. The batter (Lou Piniella) lined the ball to the shortstop, and the baserunners had to hesitate in the base path because they would have been doubled up if it was caught. That’s why Jackson was frozen there between first and second base instead of running hard in either direction.
3. From the live video/audio clip, it’s clear that L.A. manager Tommy Lasorda didn’t help his cause when he was arguing with the umpires. He was ranting on the field justifiably, but he was making the totally wrong argument — probably because he himself hadn’t been able to see exactly what Jackson had done. Instead of pointing out that Jackson had deliberately interfered with the throw, he claimed that Jackson was somehow obligated to get out of the way to avoid the throw. That is simply not correct. A baserunner cannot deliberately interfere with a throw, but he is not required to make any effort to get out of the way of a thrown ball in the base path.
There are a number of things within your well written entry, that make it obvious to judge the question of Jackson’s lack of honesty and character. Just the point you brought up, “He admitted as much years later after denying it at the time.” is the very point of my entry.
For a few sports, I was an official for many years starting when I was 10 calling minor league little league games while playing in the upper division, and finally getting chased out with poor health in my 50’s. I prided myself on mechanics and rule knowledge in each of the sports I called. In baseball I was calling as high as Class A in California while in the military for a second job.
“Jackson’s interference was so subtle that it would have been damn near impossible for an umpire to see it in real time without the benefit of instant replay.”
Disagree with you there. When a player remains in the line and leans toward the throw to initiate contact literally falling over his right foot, it was quite obvious and should have been an easy call. And it was done right out in the open in plain sight on the ball. But the officials protected the game by not calling an effort to cheat by a “star player.” Twice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvWKWvrVfrI
They are payed very good money at that level to be professional and make the calls. This is one reason it is not a revolving door to be an umpire in the majors. But to be there has to display a consistency and dedicated effort to make the call. When the politics get into it, right or wrong, it creates a business atmosphere rather than sport.
And just the aspect that he admitted it years later is very telling. He not only cheated, but by not admitting it for many years describes his integrity. Ballplayers are not always good to the game. Look at the steroid problems and continual personal problems of ballplayers.
Ever notice that the umpires this year are stopping pitchers going to the bench and are checking them for substances and items used to scuff a ball like sandpaper or sharp items? Honesty? Not when so much of it is involving money.
But if you want to really think about the play, Russell purposely dropped the line drive to get the double play. Rule 5:09, a batter runner is out:
(12) An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2015/official_baseball_rules.pdf
So did the umpires intentionally or accidentally blow the play that was right out in the open? Yep, at least twice.
wy69