Quote:
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jimpiano
The facts were determined by MLB by interviewing the people involved, not by reading the newspapers.
Blaming the first base coach may make you feel better.
But Winters was the one punished.
|
|
From one of Garth's responses
Quote:
|
If the Haller/Weaver tete a tete happened today, Haller would be suspended for saying "F*ck you, Earl."
|
Perhaps someone can repost the link to this infamous episode as IMO it is the crux of the discussion.
During the exchange for the most part all you heard is the word F**k coming from both Earl and Haller.
Did Earl go to MLB and accuse Haller of "baiting him" or using profanity - NO. It was the accepted practice back then.
We do not know what evidence MLB has and probably will never know.
The race card was used and we all know how powerful that is whether right / wrong.
Is MLB "sending a message" to the umpires - Probably. Is Winters the "sacrificial lamb" - Do not know.
Also, this incident is more prevelant in the Umpires discussion Forums then in the "court of public opinion" Unless an official is suspended for Gambling charges, drug abuse, alcoholism or something along those lines it is not newsworhty. Yes it was on ESPN for maybe a couple of days but it is now dropped.
The mistake made by Winters was that he knew well in advance that Bradley is a "time bomb" and anything derragatory said to him would send off armagedon.
Also, if there was no racial comments said then IMO the First base coach should be suspended as well. As mentioned we all know the power of accusing someone of racism and intially the 1B coach accused Winters of that. Then he changed his tune, therefore, he should also be suspended.
Winters career might well be over. In addition we do not know if MLB wanted to get "get rid of some umpires" and was looking for any valid reason to do so.
Pete Booth