Umpires for the series

by PhillyCub on Oct 2, 2007 7:22 PM CDT

I saw this on either espn.com, cnnsi.com or mlb.com but they had the umpiring crews for each series.

For the Cubs/D-Backs, it's:

Ed Montague (CC)
Sam Holbrook
Greg Gibson
Mike Everitt
Mike Reilly
Mark Carlson

Is this crew good or bad for us? I don't remember any incident with any of these guys during the past year. At least we don't get C.B Bucknor (Red Sox-Angels) or Bruce Froemming (Yankees-Indians).

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Ed Montague...

... is well-respected. I don't think much of Everitt, Reilly or Holbrook. The others I know little about.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 2, 2007 7:24 PM CDT reply actions

and besides...

He is the only umpire I have ever gotten an autograph from...in spring training in 85. He admitted to me (while autographing my program) that he was having more fun watching the girls in the stands than umping that game.

Kasey

by kaseyi on Oct 2, 2007 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Home Plate?

Do you know what the rotation behind the plate will be? That could be important.

by ms9av on Oct 2, 2007 7:55 PM CDT reply actions

Rotation

From www.worldumpires.com:

Game 1 - (Weds, @ ARZ): Ed Montague
Game 2 - (Thurs, @ ARZ): Sam Holbrook
Game 3 - (Sat, @ CHC): Greg Gibson
Game 4 - (Sun, @ CHC*): Mike Everitt
Game 5 - (Tues, @ ARZ*): Mike Reilly
No Plate Assignment: Mark Carlson

Wasn't Holbrook involved in the AJ Pierzynski dropped 3rd strike in 2005? I can't remember, but I know I've heard his and Gibson's names for something or another controversial this decade but nothing sticks out this year.

Also of note - for good or for bad, the six umpires to work the World Series will come from these 24 who are assigned to the Division Series:
-The six above on the Cubs series
-Froemming, Laz Diaz, Ron Kulpa, Fieldin Culbreth, Gerry Davis, Jim Wolf
-Dale Scott, Jim Reynolds, Chuck Meriwether, Jeff Kellog, Derryl Cousins, Ed Hickox
-Gary Darling, Dan Iassogna, Brian Runge, Ted Barrett, Tim Tschida, Bucknor

The way MLB assigns World Series crews is from the Division Series crews as umpires cannot work consecutive rounds of the post season.

I'm a high school umpire and have watched umpires more than I probably should have through the years...to me, I would love to see the following crew on the World Series (of those above):
Gerry Davis (CC), Jim Wolf, Jeff Kellogg, Mike Everitt, Tim Tschida, and Ted Barrett, but that's just me.

Proudly waving the Cubbie Blue in the middle of redbird inbreds!

by Tater01 on Oct 2, 2007 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

What does it mean

that you chose only 1 of the crew of 6 assigned to the Cubs-DBacks for your dream-team WS crew?

"Look, what's important is to be in first place on the last day of the season." -Lou 8/1/07

by 26.2cubfan on Oct 2, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Not much...

I don't think there's any significant problems on the staff working the Cubs-D'Backs series, it's just that the cream really rises to the top in the post season (or so it should) and they, I believe, try to take at least one umpire from each Division Series to the World Series...and that's what I tried to do in putting together the staff I mentioned.

Proudly waving the Cubbie Blue in the middle of redbird inbreds!

by Tater01 on Oct 3, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

The AJ incident...

... was "umpired" by Doug Eddings.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 2, 2007 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

just keep Froemming away and I'm happy

but chances are if the Cubs advance, they will get him.

World Series or bust!!!

by Chanman25 on Oct 2, 2007 9:26 PM CDT reply actions

Real Bad Call

I saw him make a safe call when the runner was out by a full stride in one of the Padre/Brewer games(i think it was the Padres/Brewers) over the weekend. It was one of the worst calls I have ever seen.

"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Oct 3, 2007 3:39 AM CDT up reply actions

saw that too

and was 100% convinced it was to screw the padres after the milton bradley incident. i mean, he was out by a full step, the folks in the upper deck could have clearly seen he was out.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Oct 3, 2007 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Umpire Stats

From www.vegasinsider.com:

Avg/Runs Games Under Over K's BB's K/BB
ED MONTAGUE
10.19 31 14 16 13.2 6.7 2.0
SAM HOLBROOK
10.82 34 13 16 13.3 7.1 1.9
GREG GIBSON
10.53 34 14 17 12.6 7.4 1.7
MIKE EVERITT
8.35 34 20 12 13.4 5.9 2.3
MIKE REILLY
10.30 33 14 17 12.9 7.3 1.8

by ms9av on Oct 2, 2007 11:59 PM CDT reply actions

Huh

I had never thought to look at Umpire stats, of course.
This could seemingly play to our advantage. Game 4 will be Z on short rest, with an ump more inclined to call a strike than a ball.

It seems to me that one of Z's big problems is an inability to adjust to an ump's strike zone.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Oct 3, 2007 7:34 AM CDT up reply actions

thank you

for posting this, really helpful

Also important to note Game 3 where Livan is VERY dependent on wide strike zone will be umpired by the umpire with the smallest strike zone

if the DBacks researched this at all they should use Livan in game 4 and Owings in Game 3....

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 3, 2007 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

SHHHH!

Don't tell them!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 3, 2007 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

you're right!

delete my post immediately!!!!!

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 3, 2007 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

So...

sorry for the poorly-transposed chart but bottom line is it looks like most of the umps are right around league average. the exception looks like game 4's mike everitt, who clearly has a larger strike zone, leading to less walks and less runs. maybe that could help z out if he's struggling with command a bit.

by ms9av on Oct 3, 2007 12:02 AM CDT reply actions

Reilly drives me nuts

Sitting behind the plate in the press box, you look for a definitive strike call from the plate umpire. Reilly just kind of punches his fist forward. Oh, for the days of Dutch Rennert. I do think a lot of the older umpires are mailing it in and that the old confrontational attitude has crept back in.

by Bruce Miles on Oct 3, 2007 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

I hope...

... that the umpires working the playoffs will have a professional attitude. I agree, the confrontations that umpires seem to be provoking these days need to stop.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 3, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions