While federal laws prohibit Major League Baseball from discussing injuries of employees, it turns out that a number of really good MLB umps are out with injuries this postseason.
Te sidelined umpires include crew chiefs John Hirschbeck (testicular cancer), Charlie Reliford (back), Jerry Crawford (back), Tim Welke (concussion), Ed Montague (concussion and neck), Gary Darling (ankle and foot) and Rick Reed (stroke).
Other umpires who are sidelined by injuries include Kerwin Danley (concussion), Alfonso Marquez (back), Brian Runge (details unknown), Bill Hohn (back) and Ed Hickok (concussion).
Several of them did return from the injuries in September, but given their limited time on the field this year they were not included in the list of postseason candidates.
So there you go, that's why we have umps calling balls foul that are fair by about three yards.
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