Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUmpire
Sorry, I wouldn't call an umpire who doesn't care about maintaining a professional appearance one of the best I've ever known. It takes the whole package to the be the best.
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This is the crew for the L.A. City Final at Dodger Stadium in 2008:
In Los Angeles, umpires are given assignments according to knowledge, ability, reliability, character, competence and other key areas related to umpiring. All four of these guys are first-rate umpires and first-rate human beings. The guy on the right--one of the finest umpires and people that I know--has a pony tail (not showing) and a short goatee. The guy on the left also has a goatee (he wears a HSM, so he doesn't have a cap). The guys in the middle both have mustaches and the short guy has a curly hairstyle that sticks out of his cap. Oh, and they're wearing gray.
Two of these guys are black, one is Hispanic, and the one white guy's a long-hair. In some circles, not
one of these guys would get a key assignment. And in those circles, they do not assign the best umpires and the best people to the most important games. They assign the best ... uh, you know,
qualified. 
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