Sometimes you just have to agree with the fans. Especially when it’s a questionable call both the broadcast and the crowd can attest to.
That was the case for Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow who were on the call for NBC Sports Bay Area on Saturday.
You see, it was the bottom of the fifth inning as the Giants hosted the Diamondbacks for an NL West rivalry game. San Francisco outfielder Joc Pederson was at the plate when Merrill Kelly delivered a 2-1 93 mph fastball that was called a strike, despite it being out of the strike zone.
A hot mic caught a fan’s displeasure calling it a “b— sh–” call. Kruk and Kuip couldn’t help but agree.
Kuiper’s response: “I kind of agree with them.”
Krukow followed suit: “I can’t argue with them.”
Both followed the fan’s reaction with some chuckles.
A fan got picked up on the hot mic voicing his… GREAT displeasure for a pitch called a strike at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Duane Kuiper: "I kind of agree with them."
Mike Krukow: "I can't argue with them." pic.twitter.com/nWgJiGddoZ— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 24, 2023
You can’t argue with the fan here.
This is where home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski called said strike. (pitch No. 4)
I could see the argument that it’s right on the line, but if Kruk and Kuip are agreeing with you, then that missed call is going to go on the umpire.
Pederson ended up hitting a triple in the at-bat to score Thairo Estrada.
The Giants would go on to defeat the D-backs, 7-6.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.