LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre hopes baseball’s expanded instant-replay system will be ready next season.
The MLB executive vice president spoke about replay on Sunday before the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of their NL division series.
“We’re not totally ready yet. We’re getting closer and closer,” Torre said. “I’m pretty hopeful we’ll have it set for next year.”
Managers would be allowed one challenge over the first six innings of a game and two from the seventh inning until conclusion.
Balls and strikes would not be reviewable, and challenged calls would be settled at MLB headquarters in New York after replays are viewed.
The issue of expanded replay came up during this series in the ninth inning of Game 2, which the Braves won 4-3.
Dodgers pinch-runner Dee Gordon attempted to steal second base. Gordon thought he was successful, but Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons scooped up the ball on a throw from catcher Gerald Laird and made the tag in one motion.
“I saw everything they showed me on TV and I know people were back in New York looking at stuff,” Torre said. “They were not sure that when he caught the ball the glove didn’t graze the uniform and then he reached back for him because he may not have known he tagged him (Gordon).”
The retired manager of the Dodgers and Yankees was asked if he’d be interested in replacing Bud Selig as baseball commissioner.
“If they had asked me to do something for the game I certainly would listen, but I have no aspirations to be commissioner,” said Torre, who is 73. “I’ve got a significant job.”
