LASIK is now offering free services for the umpire who made the worst strikeout call in history on JT Realmuto

With the Phillies trying to claw back from an 8-4 deficit in the seventh inning Monday night, it looked like JT Realmuto was about to inject some life into the comeback.

He turned on a high fastball and sent it screaming down the left field line. For a moment, Citizens Bank Park held its breath. It had the height, the distance… but not the direction.

Just foul.

Three pitches later, home plate umpire Tony Randazzo took care of the rest.

JT Realmuto worked the count and laid off three borderline pitches. The last one, a 3-1 slider, was so far off the plate it might’ve hit a right-handed batter in the back foot.

Instead of ball four, Randazzo emphatically rung him up, ending the inning and snuffing out the Phillies’ last real chance to make it a game.

Naturally, LASIK is now offering Randazzo free service in Philly area this week

Better Vision. Better Calls.

Still offering all MLB umps free LASIK.

Our Philly locations will be ready after the game. 😑pic.twitter.com/7zMVPreOjp

— LASIK.com (@LASIKdotcom) April 15, 2025

JT Realmuto, who rarely shows emotion, ripped off his helmet in disbelief. And for good reason—Randazzo had already missed a clear ball earlier in the at-bat. This one was worse.

The Phillies would go on to lose 10-4 to the Giants, their fourth loss in five games. It’s not fair to say one bad call cost them the game. But it sure didn’t help. Especially not with the way this team has been scuffling with runners in scoring position.

Phillies Funk: RISP failures, strikeouts, and a Black 9-Hole are destroying this lineup >>

This wasn’t just a missed call. It was a reminder of a larger issue MLB still hasn’t solved. After testing the Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System in spring training, the league reverted to the human eye for regular season games—and here we are.

JT Realmuto got screwed…

JT Realmuto couldn’t believe that strike three call and rightfully so: pic.twitter.com/1ZSyl3Yg36

— Tucker Bagley (@TBagleySports) April 15, 2025

With no ability to challenge the call, the Phillies were forced to take the loss and move on. But this is exactly the type of situation where the ABS system could make a real impact. Instead, Realmuto gets punched out on a ball, and Philly gets punched in the gut.

Giants announcers Dave Flemming and Javier López agreed with the Philly guys.

"He walked him. NO HE DID NOT. Strike 3 called. Wow. Realmuto's unhappy and I don't blame him."

"Two gifts in the at-bat but you will take it if you're Erik Miller and you're the Giants. Oh wow." pic.twitter.com/YXxC5FZ14A

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 15, 2025

There’s no telling what could’ve happened had JT Realmuto walked and set the table for a late rally. But when you’re down four and fighting through a cold stretch, even one missed opportunity stings. Especially when it’s handed to the other team by an umpire.

Tuesday night brings a fresh game—and thankfully, a new umpire behind the plate. Whether that helps the Phillies’ luck is another question entirely.

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