The Ump Show, Part 3

In this three part series, we will examine some of the craziness of MLB umpires that took place during August 2017.

Okay, I have officially given up on the Sporting News.

Joe Rivera is the latest to write the standard article about a disdain for umpires.  He goes through the usual rhetoric about umpires not understanding people aren't there to see them officiate or knowing the name of an umpire.

I get it.  But enough is enough.

Umpires make mistakes.  But why are sports writers and fans so quick to criticize rather than empathize?  Aren't we all prone to mistakes?

I just can't take any more of these articles that take the time to call out officials.  Do we ever praise officials for a good job?  For every one time an official makes a mistake, there are a million other times they do their job properly!

Ironically, the same day I read Rivera's article is the same day that Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo praised three umpires for three ejections in the same day!

To summarize the ejections:

1. Stu Scheurwater ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais for arguing a check swing.
2. Chris Segal ejected Cardinals manager Mike Matheny for arguing "time" being called.
3. Chris Conroy ejected Cubs manager Joe Maddon for arguing a bunt attempt on a hit by pitch.

And Mad Dog didn't even mention this one:

4. Lance Barksdale ejected Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for arguing balls and strikes.

I'll save you the dissection of each situation, but I happen to agree with the umpires in every single one.

It just goes to show you that praise never makes it way to umpires.  Everyone knows about the bad stuff, but nobody remembers the good stuff.