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Red Sox in favor of MLB's expanded video review proposal

They've dealt with their share of missed calls, and are ready for technology to step in.

By Marc Normandin
Bob Levey

Expanded video review is likely coming to Major League Baseball in 2014, pending the official approval of the game's owners, as well as the unions for both players and umpires. If it does occur, the Red Sox are reportedly in favor of introducing technology to the game in order to get things right, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne.

Jonny Gomes in particular is pro-expanded replay, which is a change for him:

"The one against Tampa Bay, that would have been the tying run," said Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes. "If that was the last game of the year, Tampa Bay wins the AL East on an umpire's missed call.

"I think for a while, I was really against it. I do like the human element. I don't think it's a knock on the umpires, but I think the game is faster than it's ever been. You're talking big power-hitting guys running 3.8's to first. You're thinking this guy is not going to score and he does. You're thinking about this guy down the right-field line just whistling a ball to home plate. It might catch you off guard if you're not in position. That was almost too fast to call. With our technology, let's use it."

Gomes is referring to Daniel Nava's out at the plate against the Rays in late-July, when umpire Jerry Meals called Nava out despite replays showing that he was safe -- something Meals even admitted to be true following the game, due to being out of position. The ability to review the play would have made a significant difference in a game the Sox lost 2-1.

Manager John Farrell, who, with the manager challenge system, will be responsible for bringing moments like this to the umpires' attention, seems pleased with the new program.

"I think, just in general, the inclusion of video replay is good for the game," said Farrell. "I think the game is ready for additional technology to be brought in. And it will be interesting to see if any adjustments, or what the final use of it, or availability of it will be, once they get through the negotiations in the offseason."

It's unknown if the rest of the league feels the same way, but at least the Sox are into the idea of getting things right, even at the expense of the human element.

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