Hall of Famer Chipper Jones didn’t hold back after watching a recent game between the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers, taking direct aim at veteran MLB umpire Doug Eddings.
Jones, who’s been vocal on social media lately, blasted Eddings for his performance behind the plate during the Cubs’ 6-1 win on Saturday. He criticized Eddings for multiple missed calls, including several questionable third-strike calls on pitches that appeared outside the zone.
In a post on X, Jones didn’t mince words: “Not only one of the worst umpires in the league for going on 2 decades… but consistently one of the most confrontational. Toxic combination!”
Jones also pointed out that Eddings failed to ask for help on a checked-swing call involving Kyle Tucker, despite it clearly appearing that Tucker held up.
Having faced Eddings many times during his career with the Braves from 1993 to 2012, Jones is no stranger to his work. Eddings, who’s been an MLB umpire since the late 1990s, has officiated 14 postseason series, including two World Series.
Despite his experience, Eddings’ performance in the game drew scrutiny. The @UmpireScorecards account reported that while his overall accuracy was 92%, only 80% of his called strikes were correct — with eight strikes actually being balls.
As criticism of umpires continues to grow amid rising technological integration in sports, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently confirmed that the league aims to introduce an automated ball-strike challenge system by 2026. It was tested during spring training and received positive early reviews.
Though the human element will still play a role in umpiring, Jones made it clear: performances like Eddings’ are no longer acceptable.
