Umpire Suspended

by Arbusto on Sep 26, 2007 12:49 PM CDT

The umpire from the Milton Bradley incident has been suspended. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3037237

I know Al and others have talked about Umps being or trying to become part of the show (I can't help but think of that ump this past weekend with the highly exaggerated strike call).

I have several questions.

How often does this sort of suspension for an ump happen? Are there other ramifications for umpires in their behavior?
Should it happen more often?
Will this help the complaint of umps trying to be the show?

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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Great news!

This is a HIGHLY unusual action -- I can't remember an umpire being suspended for such an incident in the past. This is an acknowledgement by MLB that Winters was wrong, and further, this is a good precedent for this sort of thing in the future.

There was talk on BBTN last night about a possible lawsuit by Bradley, because he's a free agent and since he won't be able to play till spring training due to his knee surgery, his market value may have been diminished by this incident.

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

by Al Yellon on Sep 26, 2007 12:40 PM CDT reply actions

Who would he sue?

Unless there's some sort of freaky cause of action in the baseball contracts. Words aren't usually anything that can be the basis of a lawsuit.

The only one he could possibly sue, I think, is the the coach who pulled him down.

by Arbusto on Sep 26, 2007 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Point taken...

... but clearly, Bradley is going to suffer a financial loss as a result of this injury. And the injury would not have happened if not for the umpire's confrontational words -- and MLB has, by the suspension, tacitly acknowledged wrongdoing.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

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

by Al Yellon on Sep 26, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Sue the ump

He is not protected for personal actions in the course of his job to use his authority to incite a player.

BTW I called Mike Port today again. I told him that it appears there were other games by umpires attempting to bait players and with questionable calls.

I think they know this and are not going to stand for this. With the NBA this is an integrity thing and they better be in front of it.

Club stats since June'07; 61-45 BEST in NL, against LHP starters; 14-14, and 21-10 in one run games, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!

by Ivy Walls on Sep 26, 2007 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

if anyone is liable...

...for bradley's injury it is bud black.

there is no way that winters can be deemed liable for bradley's injury or subsequent financial loss.

look at this way, let's say your neighbor's dog poops on your lawn, which infuriates you, and as a result you drive your vehicle maniacally and get into an accident. liability imposed upon your neighbor? absolutely not!

"If you'da been thinkin you wouldn't 'a thought that." ~~ "Squints" Palledorous

by rm463 on Sep 26, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

i think its more like

if your neighbor came over and dropped a steamer on your lawn while you were on your porch, and on your way running down your steps you tripped and fell, busting your acl...i think he may have somewhat of a case, me being a high-powered, well known lawyer and all.

Coming on strong when it matters, Murton's September line: .361/.425/.583/1.008 boo ya.

by kylejo on Sep 26, 2007 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

This is America man...

OJ was found innocent! (for his first crime - not his latest moronic events.

Anything can happen!

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Sep 26, 2007 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

True, true...

Look at the footage again. I'm fairly certain that the courts would view the on-field confrontation with Winters, and the physical takedown by Bud Black as distinct events. I'm looking for Sandy Alderson to either pick-up an incentive laden deal for Bradley, or offer a lump sum payout.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 26, 2007 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

You can sue anybody

but it doesn't mean the suit will ever bring anything in return. I guess he is saying the whole thing was started by the umpire baiting him, and would not have happened without the Umps actions.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 26, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Sue anybody - true

But lawyers at that level are smart enough to know suing somebody you attacked because they insulted you is going to get dismissed quickly.

by Arbusto on Sep 26, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree

n/t

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 26, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

If Bradley's suit goes anywhere

imagine the possibility that exists for litigation by many of the members on BCB against each other.

"Gee honey, he called me a jerk and I couldn't sleep last night and missed work today. So my boss fired me."

"Sue the SOB."

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Sep 26, 2007 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

This has got to be a leadership

issue with the umpires. Over the past 10-15 years, these guys have gotten very very thin skinned, and have been brutal regarding calling balls and strikes.

Time to make changes at the top, that can get these guys back on track.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 26, 2007 12:43 PM CDT reply actions

Good.

I have spent a fair amount of time umpiring, so my first instinct is always to sympathize with an umpire on calls. In fact, I was very critical, along with some Brewer Fan friends of the Crew the other day for losing their cool on some spotty calls.

However, when an ump "gets into it" with a player, her simply needs to be punished. I don't know how long the suspension will be, but I would hope it is lengthy. There are many excellent umps waiting in the Minors, and they shouldn't be blocked by knuckleheads like this.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Sep 26, 2007 12:46 PM CDT reply actions

Wow, I'm shocked.

A move like this actually makes sense! Let's the umpires know that their tyrant actions will not be tolerated!

I wasn't aware that Roger Goodell was the new MLB Commissioner, but I like it.

by lemon20pie on Sep 26, 2007 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

Here's a clip...

...of the incident in question that's up (for now, at least) on YouTube.

The fact that Bradley squashed Mike Cameron's hand in the outfield earlier in the game only adds to the bizarre nature of this incident.

Don't tase me, bro!

by daver on Sep 26, 2007 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

And here's a clip...

...of Milton Bradley being interviewed after the game.

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm Bradley's side. I think the ump provoked him, though Bradley's response was a little over the top. Still, I'm glad to see MLB actually taking some action here.

Don't tase me, bro!

by daver on Sep 26, 2007 1:13 PM CDT reply actions

The only bad thing

It wasn't C.B Buckner

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Sep 26, 2007 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

Or Angel Hernandez

or Randazzo.

by lemon20pie on Sep 26, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

or

joe west

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Sep 26, 2007 2:59 PM CDT reply actions

An observation

It seems to me as though there has been an interesting trend w/ umpires. I don't recall the timing of this, but whenever MLB took on the umpires
union and fired a bunch of umps, things changed for the better. Before the firing umps were calling a ridiculous strike zone. They were getting into confrontations and totally unapproachable. After MLB took charge, the strike zones got better. Umps like Eric Gregg were a thing of the past. Now it seems as though, in a few short years, we've evolved back to what MLB changed.

Last night's strikezone was like Tom Glavine and the wide outside corner in the late 1990s. While several incidents have seen players behaving inappropriately (you never bump an umpire) they have also been instigating players. MLB needs to step in and get this all under control.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 26, 2007 3:07 PM CDT reply actions

My personal feelings on last nights strike zone

I watched that saturday game with the Brewers and the braves and there's no doubt that the Braves got the benfit of many of the calls and especially the game decisive calls. Call the Brewer fans "whiners" but if those calls happened to us, we'd be "whining" too. The Texiera safe call, which would've ended the inning before it began, was a bang bang play but the replays showed he was safe. Fine, that happens not that big of a deal, it was a bang bang play.

But Then there's the play at 2nd which was so blatantly obvious he was tagged on the chest before his right hand could sweep around. Which would've ended the inning with the Brewers still up. Couple that play with the bang bang call and I'm sure the MLB offices got a tape via the Brewers of those botched calls, in the heat of a pennant race.

I think those missed calls Saturday influenced the strike zone against the Cubs.

by lemon20pie on Sep 26, 2007 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Bradley looked very foolish

He looked like a huge idiot flailing his limbs and shouting and acting like he was going to kill someone. Although it was pretty obvious that he was definately provoked. Unbelieveable that the butterfly effect from the ump's one comment could change the entire playoffs.

"The Cubs are due in Sixty-Two" - Ernie Banks

by TimeForChili on Sep 27, 2007 12:56 PM CDT reply actions