2005 MLB UMPIRES and CREWS

[GarthB]

Originally posted by UMP25

No one is a bigger believer in having someone live with their decisions, which is why I had no sympathy for those who resigned in 1999 per Richie Phillip's recommendation, only to have their bluff called by MLB then whining about being out of a job (hello, Eric Gregg). Just my $.02

Surprisingly perhaps we differ here. The vote to resign was done in a meeting of all the umpires and a pldege was made to stick together. Then, outside of the presence of other umpires, without discussion, some decided to individually rescind their resignations while others stuck to the agreement they had made with their fellow umpires.

Nobody came out looking good, but the ones who honored their word and committment to their fellow umpires came out the worst. There are some MLB umpires who have yet to speak to one another after this.

I am not suggesting that Philllips advice was good. I am not suggesting that resigning was not a mistake. I am suggesting that some very good and principled people got screwed by their fellow umpires.