As controversial MLB umpire Angel Hernandez retires from the league, plenty of stories and highlights of missed calls are being shared. One of them comes from former first baseman Will Clark.
The six-time all-star with a career .303 average who spent 15 seasons in MLB with four different teams recalled a wild story with Hernandez as the subject.
During an appearance on Eric Brynes' No Filter Network show, Clark recalled a story in which Hernandez rang up the 1989 NL MVP for a strikeout.
After one pitch outside that was called a strike, Clark asked if that's the furthest the strike zone goes out. Hernandez said yes. Clark said the next pitch was about "six more inches off the plate" but Hernandez called it a strike anyway.
MORE: CC Sabathia's priceless reaction to Angel Hernandez retirement
Clark said in the interview he never wanted to show an umpire up on the field so he didn't argue. But when he saw Hernandez out on the town that night enjoying some adult beverages, Clark bought his round.
Clark said Hernandez thanked him for the beers but also that he was seemingly expecting the first basemen to hash out his issues with the umpire. When Clark said buying his drinks were just a nice gesture, Hernandez was grateful.
So grateful in fact, that Clark said the strike zone shrunk incredibly every time he was hitting with Hernandez calling the game behind the plate after his gesture of solidarity.
Take note that there is some NSFW language in the video below:
Brynes' reaction is priceless, acknowledging that while it's a nice story, it also explains how Hernandez could be swayed simply by a nice gesture rather than calling a fair game.
If MLB players knew all it took to get Hernandez on their good side was buying him a few beers, he might've been the league's favorite umpire.
Jokes aside, this likely isn't the final story we'll hear about Hernandez from his 30 years as an MLB umpire.
