MLB's Worst Umpire Makes Egregiously Bad Call, Sparking Laughter from Both Teams

CB Bucknor's latest blunder leaves players and coaches in stitches over his baffling ruling.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:20pm

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Umpire CB Bucknor, known for his consistently poor performance behind the plate, made what may be the worst call in MLB history during a game between the Reds and Brewers. Bucknor completely missed the fact that a Brewers player had stepped on first base, instead inexplicably calling him out, prompting laughter and disbelief from both dugouts at the sheer absurdity of the ruling.

Why it matters

Bucknor's reputation as one of the worst umpires in baseball has only been further cemented by this latest embarrassing incident, which highlights the ongoing challenges of human error in officiating and the need for continued improvements in technology and training to ensure accurate and consistent calls.

The details

In the play in question, Brewers player Jake Bauers clearly stepped on first base, but Bucknor, without even looking at the bag, called him out. The call was immediately overturned upon review, with players and coaches from both teams openly mocking Bucknor's egregious mistake.

  • The incident occurred during Tuesday night's game between the Reds and Brewers.

The players

CB Bucknor

A veteran MLB umpire known for his consistently poor performance and controversial calls.

Jake Bauers

A Brewers player who was incorrectly called out by Bucknor despite clearly stepping on first base.

Eugenio Suarez

A Reds player who won two challenges against Bucknor's strike zone in a previous game, further highlighting the umpire's struggles.

Alex Cora

The Red Sox manager who was ejected by Bucknor in a previous game, demonstrating the umpire's tendency to make questionable decisions.

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What they’re saying

“This truly might be the worst call I've ever seen.”

— Zach Dean, Author

What’s next

MLB officials are expected to review Bucknor's performance and determine if any disciplinary action or additional training is warranted to address his ongoing struggles with accurate and consistent officiating.

The takeaway

CB Bucknor's latest blunder is a stark reminder of the need for continued improvements in umpiring and officiating across Major League Baseball, as even the most experienced and veteran officials can make egregiously bad calls that undermine the integrity of the game.