Major league managers frequently discuss certain challenges that cannot be adequately prepared for. These challenges include factors like the brightness of the lights, the intensity of the noise, and the presence of upper decks in stadiums.

Before experiencing a strike zone officiated by Hernández firsthand, no amount of advice or preparation can adequately ready you for it. That’s why, even on Saturday, the Rangers were still impressed by the poise and calm exhibited by rookie Wyatt Langford during Friday’s game.

His notable achievement of the day was enduring three egregiously bad strike calls in a single at-bat without showing any signs of being rattled. While Hernández’s interpretation of the strike zone may differ significantly from that of most umpires, often extending into the left-handed batters’ box, Langford remains unfazed and maintains his approach. Catcher Jonah Heim commended Langford’s steadfastness, expressing admiration for his plate approach and emphasizing the importance of him staying true to himself.

Despite the questionable calls, Langford remains confident in his ability to discern strikes and recognizes that the pitches called against him would rarely be deemed strikes in most situations. He refuses to alter his approach based on one particular circumstance.

It may seem unusual to be discussing a called third strike in a victory more than a day later. However, these were no ordinary strikes. According to data from the Umpire Auditor, which has been tracking pitches since 2014, the pitch that resulted in Langford’s called out by Hernández was a cutter that measured 6.78 inches outside the strike zone. This marked the furthest deviation from the plate recorded for a strike in the decade since pitch-tracking began. The previous record was 6.63 inches, set during a 2019 game against the Mets.