The "age" of diva umpires
Adam Wells reacts to a confrontation between Bryce Harper and John Hirschbeck by apparently asking "if player's should just shut up and play the game, shouldn't umps just shut up and call the game?".
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...l%20&hpt=hp_t5
Quote:
After a few more seconds of Harper talking and tossing his helmet down, Hirschbeck decided that he wanted to toss the 20-year-old out of the game just to send a message.
And if that sounds like an exaggeration, here is what Hirschbeck told the Washington Post after the game:
"I didn’t like that he put his hands up with the bat. That’s kind of what I yelled at him. He continued and threw his bat. I kind of pointed like, ‘That’s equipment.’ And then, he still continued and slammed his helmet down. That’s when I ejected him.
I was actually just being nice. Even the hands up in the air is showing me up, to me. I could have ejected him right then. I was nice enough to leave him in the game"
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
I think umps could get away with this kind of stuff 30 years ago but today fans are paying a lot of money to come see superstar players play the whole game, I'm sure there were a lot of very upset Nationals fans that came just to see Harper that game. Theres to much money in the game for players to be getting thrown out for showing a little bit of emotion. Umps need to get thicker skin.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
The ump was just being nice.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
I think players have a share of that diva quality these days as well.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
I like umps, I like people complaining about them as if they are the first to be the ones complaining
Mother, may I slug the umpire
May I slug him right away?
So he cannot be here, Mother
When the clubs begin to play?
Let me clasp his throat, dear mother,
In a dear delightful grip
With one hand and with the other
Bat him several in the lip.
Let me climb his frame, dear mother,
While the happy people shout;
I'll not kill him, dearest mother,
I will only knock him out.
Let men mop the ground up, Mother,
With his person, dearest do;
If the ground can stand it, Mother,
I don't see why you can't too.
Mother, may I slug the umpire,
Slug him right between the eyes?
If you let me do it, Mother
You shall have the champion prize.
Chicago Tribune 1886:
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
i was just commenting the other day to a friend that it seems umpires let players whine a lot more about balls and strikes than ever before in my 30 years of watching baseball...this was after one of choos at bats
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
There's nothing wrong with umpire/player altercations.
The umpires need to assert their authority every once in awhile. Players can't be able to yell at umps while the umps have to act like the British guard. Of course certain situations can get out of hand for both sides but there's nothing different about this than what was happening back in the day. If anything, it's gotten better. I believe A LOT of stuff went undocumented in the past therefore we have an impression there were less back and forth between ump/player.
The "fans paid to see the superstars" is a bull argument. That's arguing a superstar should get special treatment over average players. The umpires are a neutral presence between two teams. If you don't like them, then you can go play MLB The Show.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Trajinous
There's nothing wrong with umpire/player altercations.
The "fans paid to see the superstars" is a bull argument. That's arguing a superstar should get special treatment over average players. .
The NBA has built their league based on this premis.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
MLB umps are absolutely the worst professional referees in sports and absolutely the most arrogant and powerful. The game really needs to move towards lessening their power and role in baseball. Would love to see the game eliminate 1-2 umps per game. The technology exists to do that right now. Or at the very least institute some type of challenge system like so many other pro sports already have (ie NFL and Tennis). Their calls are relatively easy compared to what NBA and NFL refs have to deal with and yet they seem to get a large proportion of calls wrong all the time..
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
Quote:
Rule 9.02(a) Comment: Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.
I think umpires tolerate a lot in regard to ball and strike calls. Batters/players say things and some make it obvious with body language that they are not happy. However, we rarely see ejections for this despite what is clearly written in the rulebook.
Now let me say a thing or two about the author of the link, Adam Wells...
Quote:
Home plate umpire Bob Davidson asked for help from third base umpire John Hirschbeck, who has a history with players on teams managed by Davey Johnson.
A history? Hirschbeck was the umpire that was spit in the face by Roberto Alomar in 1996. A Baltimore team managed by Davey Johnson. There is that HISTORY.
Quote:
Hirschbeck decided that he wanted to toss the 20-year-old out of the game just to send a message.
Just to send a message? Really. I do not read that in Hirschbeck's comments regarding the ejection for violating rule 9.02(a). Perhaps Harper got THE MESSAGE that he violated rule 9.02(a). And perhaps his manager/coaches will send him A MESSAGE that one AB is not as important as the 3-4 add'l ABs he'll have for their team.
Me thinks Wells wants to send a message that he does not like umpires and is doing a poor job of making his point. Too bad this young journalist does not have a rule 9.02(a) that ejects him for poorly written articles.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
A soccer official in Salt Lake City died recently of a brain hemorrhage after being punched in the back of the head by a goalie he had just given a yellow card.
Guess he shouldn't have been such a diva.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dunner13
I think umps could get away with this kind of stuff 30 years ago but today fans are paying a lot of money to come see superstar players play the whole game, I'm sure there were a lot of very upset Nationals fans that came just to see Harper that game. Theres to much money in the game for players to be getting thrown out for showing a little bit of emotion. Umps need to get thicker skin.
Did they pay to see Harper act like a brat?
Throw your bat and helmet? That's a clown move, bro.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
Meh, I think it's much more accurate to say it's the "age" of diva sports columnists.
Re: The "age" of diva umpires
I agree this is the "age" of diva umps, if you consider the "age" to be from 1869 to 2013.