KSaw

Joe West had a very good season last year and has been good this year. He had a pretty good playoffs in 2011 as I recall too. Joe did have health issues for a while and some bad luck in 2010 and 2011 being right in the middle of some weird controversial plays. His strike zone was all wacky for part of 2011 as well. I can tell you definitively that there are umpires who prior to working with Joe West, dreaded the thought due to reputation and from clips on Sportscenter, who after working with him were pleasantly surprised, even impressed. Angel, Bill Miller, Bob Davidson, Laz Diaz-- not good!

Blowing a rule call and then having the game protested due to the incorrect ruling and having the game replayed or partially replayed or the result changed because the rules were messed up. It's inexcusable. Umpires need to know the rules. If they are really unsure, the can refer to a rule book in the umpire's room to get the rule right. Example- 4th inning, no score, runners on 1st and 3rd, with no outs. Ground ball to short. He flips to 2nd to start an easy double play. The runner from 1st interferes with the throw to 1st. The umpire calls a double play due to the interference. This would be correct. The umpire allows the runner to score from 3rd because he would have scored anyway. This would be incorrect. The fielding team argues but the umpires stuck to their call and the fielding team protests the game. Fast forward-- the fielding team loses the game. The league upholds the protest and the game has to be replayed from the point of the blown rule, with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd. The umpire or umpires who blew the rule get fired because its inexcusable.

If the trainer had run on the field, nothing would happen unless he interfered with the play. The trainer should run on the field if a player looks to be seriously injured. If the play goes on around him, so be it. There have been many plays in baseball that continued when fans had run on the field. Same rule. As long as there is no interference, no big deal. If there is, also no big deal. Umpires would just place runners where they'd be (in the umpires opinion) had the interference not occurred.

The calling the Pirates game due to rain without waiting 45 minutes was a bigger issue. Sure it was common sense and the rain wasnt stopping but just wait the required time by MLB rules guys.

More to this one. Culbreth and the crew know the rules and it was argued immediately. Umpires will always get together on a rule issue and make sure that they don't lose a protest. Actually in the minors umpires are fired immediately if they lose a protest. Well, one exception-- Pam Postema blew a rule in AAA, even after the other members of her crew told her that she was wrong but she was the high profile female and kept her job. Anyway, although the umpires would not comment post game and the league has told them not to on protests, this was an issue of the pitcher warning up becoming injured during his warm up. Ok, that's the simple answer. The rub is that umpires are told, "You are not doctors, even if a supposed injury is suspicious or seems like a convenient advantage, trust that the player is injured because they are highly paid athletes with careers on the line." Sounds like the umpires were suckered/ forced into buying the injury excuse. I'll find out tomorrow for sure if I can.

They aren't unionized. The union was desolved prior the 2000 season. They have an association which is a national labour negotiations board. Umpires can be fired due to performance but there is a process. Under the union, jobs were lock down protected unless there was a morality issue, an off field issue that was criminal, an issue due to criminal or gambling associations, or a health issue.

Wolf out for the season.

Braden half joked on his Twitter about a baseball comeback the other day. He also made a crack about becoming a submarine pitcher. He has not been really training but he did throw 1 inning in Texas in January in an alumni game. Dallas will probably start out in independent ball if he decides to pitch. I wouldn't expect to see him in the Majors this year.

I don't know who thinks Angel blew it on purpose to stick it to Melvin. That wouldn't happen. The embarrassment over blowing a call like that and the fine and yes, there will be an undisclosed fine from Charlie Reilford. And then the shadow over his integrity on the field. He didnt blow it on purpose. He's just bad.

Crew chief. They all review and discuss but in the end...

Torn Labrum. He's still not ready. Maybe later in the year. Maybe next year. Maybe never.

When Angel Hernandez is the crew chief there's bound to be problems.

Mosley out for the year, no?

He's insane. Good enough reason? Here's an idea... Dear, Ben Sheets-- you looked pretty good with Atlanta at the end of last season. Why retire after working so hard to comeback? You still don't have a ring. Here's $11 million. Please come to Toronto.

At this rate Adam Loewen is going to have to go back to pitching.

Now designate Rogers and get Wagner up here too.

Something to note, based on career numbers Adam Lind is one of the top pinch hitters of active MLB players. Look up his splits and go to pinch hit stats.

When you look at .221/.265 overall, clearly the key is don't let him face loogys. The overall numbers v just relievers has his OBP around .200

No but it's not God awful. At least he gets some hits and carries an OBP around .300.

He actually has only 5 career hits v lefty relievers.

.251/.301 with 17 of his 18 career HR v left handers against starters. His numbers v lefty relievers are atrocious.

Posted several times in old forum. Give me a minute...

His numbers v lefty starters aren't terrible. Loogys have owned Lind his whole career.

If Griffey fell of the map he landed on an Atlas.

Pure comedy!