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First Replay Call Confirms A-Rod Homer

Instant replay's maiden use awards slugger his 549th home run

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 4, 2008 3:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Major League Baseball's first-ever use of instant replay to settle a call backed a 9th-inning homer from Alex Rodriguez last night at Tropicana Field. Umpires checked the Yankee slugger's drive on a monitor after a protest from Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, and upheld the original fair call, Newsday reports.

Instant replay for home runs entered the rule books last week and is limited to settling "boundary" calls of fair or foul, out of the park or in, and fan interference. The system was brought in after several controversial rulings this season, including one against A-Rod. The replay last night gave Rodriguez his 549th homer and helped the Yankees to an 8-4 victory.

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Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, right, shows umpire Brian Runge where a ninth-inning home run by New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez hit yesterday. (AP Photo)

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez leans as he watches his ninth-inning home run off Tampa Bay Rays' Troy Percival during a baseball game yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo)

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez rounds the bases after hitting a ninth-inning home run off Tampa Bay'sTroy Percival during a baseball game yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo)

Umpires Jerry Layne, right, and Charlie Reliford head in to review a ninth-inning home run by New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez off Tampa Bay Bay'sTroy Percival . (AP Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro screams at umpire Brian Runge that a home run by New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez was foul yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo)

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It's funny. Somehow I find myself in those situations all the time. It was just nice to get the right call and get a fair ruling. - Alex Rodriguez

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First Replay Call Confirms A-Rod Homer