Umpire - I wasn't expecting a reply from you, and I certainly wasn't expecting a sentence structure lesson. But I guess once you are trained to make calls, you always have to make calls. wink

Looking at the rotations for all of the playoffs -- Division Series, LCS and World Series -- it appears that it's always set up so that the crew chief is behind the plate if there's a 7th game (5th game for Div. Series). Is this standard procedure?

It has been for some time, Joe, except for the Division Series recently. The series crew chief used to begin the ALDS and NLDS behind the plate, which meant that he'd end up at second base if the series went the full 5 games. However, MLB changed this, assigning the crew chief to the left field line for game 1, which would result in him having the plate for the final, decisive game.

Note that the World Series, BTW, has several regular season crew chiefs in it. It's a strong crew this year.

Indeed, Scottie. Besides, SOMEone's got to bust your...uh...you know. wink

(You know, if we keep up this winking, someone here is going to start asking questions. wink eek! )

[ October 22, 2004, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: The Umpire ]

They already are. wink

Well, heavens to Betsy. Aren't we in trouble then?

WE'LL make that call. ROFL...couldn't resist that little pun there.

Poor Aubie. That wasn't even that funny, to be honest with you.

But I still admire you for trying.

All right, let's get back on track here. I share much of the blame for getting too non-serious here, and that isn't my desire.

Definitely a general announcement, I guess...

Just wanted to wish all the people here on Outsports--all the cantankerous, witty, unique people--a wonderful Christmas. I do not wish to get overly sentimental, but I hope the true spirit of Christmas doesn't get lost on any of you, and that you find its meaning in your hearts and in the hearts of your family and friends.

To my Jewish brothers and sisters, I extend a heartfelt and sincere wish for a peaceful Hannukuh. It is probably no accident that this holiday's festival of lights mirrors the luminescence of Christmas.

Finally, may 2005 bring you all happiness and good health. If 2004 wasn't that good, may 2005 lift you up. If 2004 was good, may 2005 be even better.

Travel safely, everyone, and hug warmly. wink

Merry Christmas,

Ump

Thanks and the same to you and your family!

Thanks Ump, you have a wonderful and safe Christmas as well. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us this year. It truly helps in understanding the game.

Too bad we're spread out all over the place. At least I got the warm spot in the country in our family.

Hey Ump, what is meant by "bush league"? For example, when Alex Rodriguez swiped at the glove of a Redsox player during the WS, his action was said to have been a bush league play. Can you elaborate?
I think I know what it means but don't know where the term originated.

Thanks.

"Bush league" is a derogatory comment that means amateurish, inferior. It's baseball slang for minor leagues, a reference to the uncomfortable and primitive conditions in which minor league players live and play.

Excellent!
thanks.

Now that it's been settled and a matter of public record, I can share the details by providing the link below.

MLB, Umpires Reach Agreement on New 5-Year Contract; Resolve Dispute

Will QuesTec be used in more ballparks than it's used in now?

Joe,

From what we understand, yes, it will be added to additional ball parks. Which one(s) and when is still to be determined.

Have a good New Year,

Ump

Can you explain MLB's luxury tax. I understand from a previous post that 3 teams (Yanks,BoSox,Angels) will have to pay a luxury tax this yr and the amounts are different for each. What does this mean for the rest of the teams who do not have to pay a tax? Do those teams split the tax $ btwn themselves, and will MLB get a cut?

I'm just curious to know how much $ each team can expect to add to its payroll. Money is tight in Oakland and we still have to resign our own FA's. This "extra" cash would help.

Hey Ump,

I'm presuming that you are happy that MLB Umpires have ratified a 5 year contract.

We approved the new contract a couple months ago, but we've been busy since then hammering out all the language. You wouldn't believe just how anal that really is. Every word, sentence, and punctuation mark was debated, sometimes heatedly.

I got back from Phoenix last week from our annual meeting and the contract was one of the lead issues.

I tried reaching PhillyFan, but I think he blew me off.

Regards,

Ump

BTW, it's time for my annual pre-season makeover. I've changed my publicly displayed name to keep one step ahead of you horny, little bastards who keep asking me, "Are you NNNN? If so, you're hot!" I may not be NNNN, but I am hot. Well, OK, so I'm being intentionally immodest for a minute.

Tricky...so you heading to Grapefruit or Cactus this Spring?

Yes.

Cactus is my bet, as usual.



HA!

Nice try.

Let's just say that during my career, I've worked in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. wink

Is that like switch-hitting?? :confused: wink

Ump....since you are anonymous and you can't be traced, can you answer a question I've been wondering? (actually alot of people probably have been)

Was there ever an unwritten rule, in situations like the infamous Offerman/Knobluch tag during the '99 playoffs. Was there a "thing" amongst umpires, like an unwritten rule, no matter what, rule in favor of the Yankees no matter who they play, especially the Sox?

And, are there alot of "power hungry" umps that toss players or managers out just cuz they (the umps) won't be proven wrong?

I'll assume you're being facetious when asking this, because the answer, of course, is no way. None.

No.

No, it's because of where I used to live many years ago and where I've lived the last few years. wink

[ March 03, 2005, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: MLB UMPIRE ]

UMP/MIB/Whatever-new-name,

no you did not.

Puhlease

YAAAWWWWNNNN! Another year of where in the world is MLB Umpire and who is he. Y'all let me know when you figure it out, if he's hot that is.

Aubie, I agree with your sentiments. Fellas, let's not go down this road again please. It's pointless. I do not attempt to play any game on who I am, so there's no need to perceive my posts as such.

Merloni's comments were really unnecessary, for they tend to stir up things that do not needed to be stirred up.

And PF, I think we've had enough fun re. that. I find it insulting that someone would think I'm MIB, PF, William, or anyone else on this board. (I just mentioned you because we were all in Phoenix last month. Weren't you supposed to look me up so we could paint the town or somethin'? )

Looks like my annual "makeover" just didn't take, did it? wink

Oh, and Aubie, I work out, I'm in excellent shape...am I "hot"? Well... wink

[ March 03, 2005, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: MLB UMPIRE ]

...and your name is not Angel is it? 'Cause he's really hot!

No, but I've told Angel I'm better looking than he is.

You should've gotten a Queer Eye makeover instead.

Ump, sorry if I offended you, but I was not "stirring things up" I was simply asking a question. I figured that since you post anonymously, you might feel you can answer honestly. A friend of mine is a die hard sports fans is alays on some baseball stat page (I think retrosheet, not sure), but after some researching he found that in various games, mostly deciding games (playoff clinching) where always won with the same umpire behind the plate in which bogus strikes and balls were called when they clearly shouldn't have been. And in these cases, it was always resulting in a Yankees win, no matter who they were playing.

So for you to say with a defiant "NO!" that there any umps that are power hungry is wrong. In EVERY position of power, there are some who can do the job great, and others who let it go to their head.

In fact, Joe West (an Ump that was to be in the '03 Playoffs) said to Trot Nixon after he challenged a bogus call at the plate, was heard by MANY players to look straight at Trot and say very boldly "I'll see YOU in the playoffs" now what do ya suppose that meant?

[ March 04, 2005, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: Merloni26 ]

Dear Ump, MIB, WM1865, Veranis

It was not I who came up with this "theory" I'm the last one to "Judge"

However, if i wish to get in touch with you, i might know the right person to get in touch with. Not that I wish to get intouch with this person.

With love from the cactus league,

The Phx crew.

Merloni, I don't recall "defiantly" replying. You asked, I answered--with a simple but succinct answer. There are NO MLB Umpires who give Yankees any calls, nor do any of us favor them in any manner. Considering that many of us probably don't even like the Yankees (just a personal opinion, BTW), your assumptions are not correct.

As far as Joe West is concerned, well...Cowboy Joe as we affectionately call him has a rather unique personality. Let's just leave it at that. wink

Indeed Joe. But would that have made me look too "pretty"?

LOL, I read ya loud and clear

Perhaps I shouldn't have said "defiant", sorry, I'm bad communicating and making points. I meant to say I thought that I suggested something that might be possible and I took it as you standing straight up saying "No way! No How! Not even possible!"

Personally I always thought (there I go thinking again....) that Steinbrenner 'leaned' on Umpires and somehow threatened them to make certain calls.

[ March 04, 2005, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: Merloni26 ]

Considering Steinbrenner has for as long as we can remember thoroughly disliked umpires, I don't think any of us would even think of wanting to call something the Yankees way. It may seem like it at times, but that's just pure coincidence, believe me.

No matter who is playing, we make calls on instinct, oblivious to who is being tagged, running, hitting, etc.

Lastly, there's nothing more we like than to be at Yankee Stadium dodging debris thrown at us from the upper deck, as we did last fall.

OFFICIAL RETRACTION.

I have no idea who you are. I obviously misspoke.

I have never met you.

Good Luck on the upcoming season.

CU (Drunk)

Hey Blue, How about the 2005 crew assignments. WUA and MLB are slow in posting.

I have preliminary assignments, but they're subject to change depending on a couple pending retirements/rehires.

If you'd like me to post them, let me know. We get them each January, but I usually don't say anything because every year, there are changes due to several reasons (retirements, medical leave, crew chief requests for changes, etc.).

Maybe just post retirements,new hires,sickleave, etc. Are the new hires you are referring to the umpires that were fired during the strike?

I can't post retirements because those aren't actually known. One or two guys have talked about it for the last two years, but have not yet decided to make it official. If I post their names (both are crew chiefs) and they don't retire, it might be a bit embarrassing to them.

With respect to new hires, Bob Davidson and Ed Hickox have both been rehired. Each was involved in the 1999 situation. I can't go into this any more, since it's been relatively hush-hush in a sense--nothing classified, just being kept low-key, and the way everything went regarding that situation, what happens today might change tomorrow.

Angel Hernandez - the hottest UMP wink

[ March 23, 2005, 10:19 PM: Message edited by: copman ]

With all due respect, officer, I beg to disagree. wink