Quote:
Originally posted by jont
I have to agree and say that I think Joe West has an excellent zone. Back in the day, well before he got his job back, West was considered by many to be the best ball-strike umpire in the game. With that being said, cowboy Joe certainly won't back down or always attempt to diffuse a situation. In fact, he is one of the last true red asses left in the game, although he is more mild now. That's too bad. i think Gooch needs to get a job, so there can be a young red ***
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A friend just gave me a four-and-a-half hour tape of MLBs. All the excerpts were from 2002. What the tape proves is that the umpires are human - and good!
Joe West has excellent timing and so misses very few pitches. The exceprts also prove he stays out of trouble on the bases, can calm players and managers down without ejection -- and ejects egregious offenders without pity.
One thing I learned from the tape: MLBs are not chary about using the FYC. Sometimes when we in the stands (or in front of the TV) think we saw an umpire blow a pitch, it is really an umpire sending a message.
In one game Barry Bonds complained vigorously about a third strike. Two innings later he arrived at the plate: 1, 2, 3 strikes and you're out. All the pitches "appeared" to be outside. He turned without a word and headed for the dugout. He was about half way there when the camera caught him in a huge smile. It was one of those rare moments when Barry wasn't a jerk.