Umpire C.B. Bucknor's Recent Controversies Draw Attention

Major League Baseball umpire C.B. Bucknor has been involved in several incidents across recent games, including multiple challenges, overturned calls, and a manager ejection.

These events occurred during a Boston Red Sox-Cincinnati Reds game and a Milwaukee Brewers-Tampa Bay Rays matchup, drawing attention to his decision-making. Bucknor, who began his MLB umpiring career on April 4, 1996, is the league's second-longest-tenured umpire.

Red Sox-Reds Game Incidents

During a game where the Boston Red Sox lost 6-5 to the Cincinnati Reds in 11 innings, umpire C.B. Bucknor, serving as home plate umpire, had eight of his calls challenged. The Red Sox utilized two early challenges, which were upheld, consequently limiting their ability to challenge later in the game. The Reds, however, were successful in overturning five strike calls to balls in the sixth and seventh innings. This included two consecutive pitches called out against Eugenio Suárez, both of which were reversed upon challenge by the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system.

A significant incident involved Red Sox player Trevor Story. In either the seventh or eighth inning, with two outs and two runners on during a one-run game, Bucknor called Story out on a check swing without appealing to the first base umpire. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was subsequently ejected from the game by Bucknor for arguing the call. It was reported that the Red Sox had exhausted their challenges by this point, with six of Bucknor's calls having been overturned earlier in the game. Earlier, Story was also called out on a 3-2 pitch in the fourth inning, and Marcelo Mayer struck out looking in the eighth inning.

The Red Sox-Reds game concluded in 3 hours and 32 minutes, despite the multiple challenges. Prior to the game, Reds.TV broadcaster Sam LeCure had predicted an unusually high number of challenges with C.B. Bucknor as the home plate umpire.

Brewers-Rays Game Overturn

In a separate game on Tuesday, where the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2, umpire C.B. Bucknor, acting as first base umpire, made a call that was later overturned. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brewers player Jake Bauers hit a line drive. Rays second baseman Ben Williamson fielded the ball, and his subsequent throw to first base went wide. Bucknor initially called Bauers out, stating that he had missed first base after a tag.

Replays of the play, however, indicated that Bauers had made contact with the base. The Brewers challenged the call, and it was subsequently overturned, ruling Bauers safe at first base. Observers noted that Bucknor's attention during the play appeared to be on the ball rather than on the runner at first base.

Following the overturned call, Bauers proceeded to steal second base, and Brandon Lockridge then hit a double, driving in Bauers and extending Milwaukee's lead to 5-2.

Umpire Background and Statistics

C.B. Bucknor, born on August 23, 1962, has been an MLB umpire since April 4, 1996. This makes him the second-longest-tenured umpire in Major League Baseball.

As of March 30, Bucknor reportedly led the league with 26 missed ball and strike calls in his first outing of the season.