TRC Top 10: Jerry Meals' Blown Calls

Written by: Andrew McLean, The Reserve Clause

 

With one horrifically blown call, MLB umpire Jerry Meals went from near anonymity to national infamy. He’ll forever be known as the man who made the worst call in the history of sports, and deservedly so, but our crack research team has been on it since early this morning to gather these Top 10 Jerry Meals’ Blown Calls.

1. Jerry Meals told Brian Dunkleman to leave American Idol after its first season.

Actual quote: “Bail on that sinking ship while you can. No one wants to watch a bunch of nobodies sing karaoke.”

2. Jerry Meals’ favorite movie is Godfather…Part III.

Actual quote: “The first two were just trying too hard, but they really nailed it on the third.”

3. Jerry Meals advised the Blazers to take Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft.

Actual quote: “I’m not saying I don’t like this Jordan guy, but Bowie is the type of guy that will bring a team 6 NBA championships.”

4. Jerry Meals approached Coca-Cola in 1985 telling them that people were sick of their pop and proposed something he called “New Coke”.

Actual quote: “Hope you have a vault like Scrooge McDuck to hold all the money you’re gonna make on this one.”

5. Jerry Meals sold his ticket to Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS game between the Cubs and Marlins to Steve Bartman.

Actual quote: “He seemed like a real nice fellow who would enjoy some seats so close to the action.”

6. After seeing Jerry Maguire, Jerry Meals started a production company and signed Jonathan Lipnicki to a 20 million dollar guaranteed contract.

Actual quote: “Move over Tom Hanks. This kid’s got a long career ahead of him.”

7. Jerry Meals recommended the NHL move out of boring, cold cities like Winnipeg in favor of hockey hot spots such as Atlanta.

Actual quote: “If I know anything about the people of Atlanta, and the South in general really, it’s that they love their hockey. This one’s a no-brainer.”

8. Jerry Meals is in charge of Fox’s original programming.

Actual quote: “Trust me, Rupert, I know what the people want, and I’ll be sure to keep it classy. By the way, I’ve got a great idea for you to get some inside scoops for your papers.”

9. Jerry Meals pushed for LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett to leave Destiny’s Child and start their own group.

Actual quote: “You girls are carrying that Beyonce chick. If you want to hit it big, you’re gonna have to dump her.”

10. Jerry Meals thinks Jim Joyce made the right call.

Actual quote: “Pretty clear call in my book. Good thing it wasn’t a crucial point in a potentially historic game or anything.”