Major League Baseball might not be ready to implement robot umpires just yet, but if fans had their way after this weekend, that decision would already be made. In back-to-back controversies, Jordan Baker and Doug Eddings reminded everyone why the human element of MLB umpires continues to frustrate players, fans, and analysts alike.
Jordan Baker’s Blunder in Blue Jays-Twins Game
During Friday’s Blue Jays vs. Twins showdown, veteran umpire Jordan Baker became the villain of the night. According to MLB Umpire Auditor, Baker missed 19 calls, including a devastating low strike against Ryan Jeffers in the eighth inning. Jeffers, the potential tying run, struck out looking on a pitch outside the zone, sealing Minnesota’s fate in a 6–4 loss.
Even MLB Umpire Scorecard, another independent analyst, confirmed Baker had one of the worst accuracy rates of the season, correctly calling just 88% of pitches, ranking 15th worst so far in 2025.
Fans weren’t having it.
“Fire all the umps,” one user wrote.
“Cheat ump that deserves to be fired,” added another.
Many pointed to umpire Baker’s 6-foot-7 frame as a problem, with claims that his strike zone judgment below the knees is consistently flawed. Despite calling over 94% of pitches correctly across the season, Baker’s mistakes in high-leverage moments ignited calls for change.
Doug Eddings Adds Fuel to the Fire
If that wasn’t enough, Doug Eddings took center stage Saturday during the Cubs-Tigers game, and not for the right reasons. It started with a questionable third strike call against Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) and snowballed into a game-long disaster.
Eddings was soon trending on X, with fans and media figures pointing out a pattern of missed calls. PCA wasn’t alone, Ian Happ and others fell victim to an ever-expanding strike zone.
Even national writers chimed in. Jon Heyman and Jesse Rogers echoed fans’ frustration and called it a “case study in why MLB needs robo-umps.” Some remembered Eddings’ infamous 2005 ALCS blown call, wondering how he’s still influencing outcomes two decades later.
Fans Demand Action — And Robo Umps
MLB has already fired Umpire Pat Hoberg in 2024 for a gambling-related violation. Now, fans are asking: why aren’t bad performances treated the same way?
One fan wrote bluntly:
“In almost any other job, a performance this bad gets you terminated.”
Another jabbed sarcastically:
“With robo umps on the way in 2026, today’s ump goes full John Cena before heading into early retirement.”
Rob Manfred reportedly has the votes to adopt the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System starting in 2026. After this weekend, the momentum may only grow stronger.
From Jordan Baker’s 19 blown calls to Doug Eddings’ trending controversy, MLB’s umpire woes are no longer background noise. They’re front and center. If the league wants to protect its product, accountability behind the plate isn’t optional anymore, it’s overdue.
Read More: Watch MLB Umpire’s Hilarious Reaction to Getting Hit in the Head by Outfield Throw
