MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays
Brett Lawrie has some company on the suspended list. Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and umpire Bob Davidson, yes, you read that right, have both been suspended 1 game for an on the field incident on Tuesday night. Late in the game, Phillies catcher Brian Schneider ran into home plate umpire Davidson when trying to retrieve a called third strike, which allowed an Astros player to reach base. Manuel yelled from the bench and was then tossed by Davidson.
It's "normal" for umpires to toss out managers for arguing calls and depending on how bad it gets, that manager being suspended for a game or two. However, it's not uncommon for an umpire to be suspended for his actions. Major League Baseball sent out a memo saying Davidson was suspended for his "repeated violations of the Office of the Commissioners standards for situation handling". Basically, it means Davidson has a short fuse and any attempt to upstage him means you get the boot, no questions asked.
Perhaps this is another example as to why Davidson was ranked 4th in a Sports Illustrated poll on baseball's worst umpires.
IMO, an umpire needs to be held accountable for their conduct and handling of situations. The nature of their job is subject to be criticized by players, coaches and fans. If their not thick skin enough to handle the fall out of a bad call, then they need to find a new profession. The problem is that somewhere along the lines, some of these umps got it into their heads that fans came to see them, not the players. I get that umpires are human and they'll make mistakes but at some point, they need to check their ego at the door and a) realize they aren't the main attraction at a game and b) do what they can to make sure the correct calls are made on the field
5/19/12 | scquwi1 | 1192 respect
Calling balls and strikes is one thing, and it's forgivable if they miss a few here and there, but kicking someone out of a game should be considered very serious, and some guys are a little too quick with the trigger because there is rarely retribution.
In this case, Davidson got caught basically because every fan and player in the ballpark heard him being an a**hole about it.
I agree with you, every umpire should be held to a high standard, with their game management and the calls which they make. If they abuse their authority they should sit, and with ones like West and Davidson, who continue to abuse theirs, should be sent to the minors or let go and bring up another umpire, just like they do with players.
5/19/12 |
Pat
|
4557 respect
MLB rule 9.01 (d)
Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for
objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such
disqualified person from the playing field.
The players and managers are first breaking the rule which gets them ejected, some umpires who take it to far when they goat a player or manager into stepping over the line, or as what happen with Davidson and Manuel. Players and managers can go out there and say what they need to say and be respectful, we all know nothing will change about he call. Umpires are taught to stick with the call they made, so there will not be help on outs at the bag, or balls and strikes.
I think umpires should definitely have the discretion to eject a player or manager if necessary, but I think every one of those incidents should be thoroughly reviewed. If it's discovered that an umpire abused his power, then he should sit out a game, just like he made the player or manager do, and just like MLB is having Davidson do.
Calling balls and strikes is one thing, and it's forgivable if they miss a few here and there, but kicking someone out of a game should be considered very serious, and some guys are a little too quick with the trigger because there is rarely retribution.
In this case, Davidson got caught basically because every fan and player in the ballpark heard him being an a**hole about it.
5/18/12 | scquwi1 | 1192 respect
MLB rule 9.01 (d)
Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for
objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such
disqualified person from the playing field.
The players and managers are first breaking the rule which gets them ejected, some umpires who take it to far when they goat a player or manager into stepping over the line, or as what happen with Davidson and Manuel. Players and managers can go out there and say what they need to say and be respectful, we all know nothing will change about he call. Umpires are taught to stick with the call they made, so there will not be help on outs at the bag, or balls and strikes.
5/18/12 | MortonsLaw | 130 respect
Same goes for NBA officials, who give technical fouls for two players celebrating. Officiating in sports is a joke. It really is embarrassing.
5/18/12 |
Dan_B
|
802 respect
Umpires shouldn't have free passes to act like the Davidsons and Wests of the world do...