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MLB umpire faces backlash after six overturned pitch calls

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By James Parker | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 2:04 PM ET

The MLB’s new ABS challenge system is already having an impact, and MLB umpire CB Bucknor is facing backlash after six of his pitch calls were overturned by the system on Saturday.

Bucknor had eight of his calls challenged in Saturday’s matchup between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, with six of the calls being overturned. Bucknor received heavy backlash online almost immediately.

I think CB Bucknor might actually be worse at his job than anyone in the world is at any of their respective jobs. He is that laughably bad.

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 28, 2026

If a home-plate umpire has 5 calls overturned, he should move to first base, and all the umpires should shift one spot over so the third-base umpire goes behind the plate.
CB Bucknor had 6 calls overturned yesterday, and there were at least six more that could've been overturned…

— VindogUnleashed (@Vindog56) March 29, 2026

Would not be surprised if CB Bucknor retired mid-season.

He's gonna get embarrassed every single game like this because he's the worst umpire out there and now he cant show up any players or coaches without looking foolish https://t.co/jrgmaksrKj

— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) March 29, 2026

CB Bucknor. The modern-day Angel Hernandez.

— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) March 28, 2026

CB Bucknor is horrible https://t.co/EzfAi6IW4h

— Carter Byrd (@CarterByrd13) March 28, 2026

This game was an all-time showcase of embarrassment for CB Bucknor. ABS stopped him from controlling the outcome of ballgames so he took matters into his own hands in the only way he could. https://t.co/KdVbQOZpZp

— Jacob Liss (@DingersLiss) March 29, 2026

Esto pasa cuando quieres ser el protagonista. Esta debe ser una de las peores actuaciones de CB Bucknor.

Va a quedar expuesto muchas veces con la tecnología. https://t.co/7fb2EuiFwT

— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) March 28, 2026

The 63-year-old umpire is a long-time veteran who’s been with the MLB since 1999. While the criticism Bucknor received online was intense, Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed understanding.

“He has one job to do, call balls and strikes, and it wasn’t his best day,” Cora said following his ejection. “That’s what this system does. It’s out there, and everyone sees it. He’ll be the first one to accept it. I saw him putting his head down after one of the challenges, and we’re all human. It’s not easy to do what we do and what he does.”

The Reds went on to win the matchup, but Bucknor’s off night was ultimately the game’s most impactful takeaway.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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