You won't believe how bad the home plate-umpiring was in Sunday's Yankees-Blue Jays game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Everyone has off days at work.
But home plate umpires have to be on their game no matter what. Otherwise, players and managers will let them hear about it.
That's what used to happen more often before ABS challenges. But now, there are fewer arguments to be had about the strike zone.
Hunter Wendelstedt should be thankful for the ABS, or should he?
His performance calling balls and strikes in Sunday's New York Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays series finale was shockingly bad.
Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt (ranked 81st of 91 umpires this season) called the worst game of the day and the 16th worst this season.
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) August 17, 2026
He missed 20 calls in the Yankees Blue Jays game and had 9 calls overturned.
Only 4 games this season had 9+ calls overturned and Wendelstedt was… pic.twitter.com/fkoWfdANnX
Wendelstedt had a rough day behind the plate. This was his second game this season with nine or more calls overturned.
Overall, the 55-year-old missed 20 calls in the Yankees' 4-3 extra-innings victory over the Blue Jays.
MORE: Phillies receive slightly worrying 65% playoff odds projection from ESPN
Umpire: Hunter Wendelstedt
— Umpire Scorecards (@UmpScorecards) August 17, 2026
Final in 10: Yankees 4, Blue Jays 3#RepBX // #BlueJays50#NYYvsTOR // #TORvsNYY
More stats for this ump 👇https://t.co/VpcDPjUEi4pic.twitter.com/Mbw0AQxQpa
Wendelstedt was not on his game yesterday. He called one of the worst games of the season as a home plate umpire.
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