Replaying a replay

Umpire Frank Pulli

One of the earliest uses – if not the earliest use – of television replay to overturn a call comes 25 years ago today as umpire Frank Pulli overturns a home run hit by Cliff Floyd in the fifth inning of the Florida Marlins’ 5-2 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Instead of a home run to left field off of Cardinals starter Kent Bottenfield, Floyd is credited with a double that scores Alex Gonzalez from second to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-2 before a Memorial Day Monday afternoon crowd of 21,943.

Floyd originally is credited a double by second base umpire Greg Gibson, but Pulli – the crew chief – overrules Gibson and gives Floyd a homer.

Pulli then retreats to a TV camera and monitor next to the Marlins’ dugout and reviews the play.

Over and over.

Pulli then overturns his own decision, leaving Gibson’s initial call to stand and the Marlins, well, agitated. Major League Baseball eventually begins its replay reviews in 2008.

Cliff Floyd after his home run becomes a double