Did anyone notice Tim McClelland in the Mets/Cardinals game was not working the knee? It was his trademark, and personally, I think he looks a little too awkward and tall to work the box. Maybe he developed some knee problems from so many years working the knee? Just a thought...

Mmmm,
 

Those that have watched Tim over the years know that he is sometimes a quandry:

When he first came up he worked the heel-to-toe on right handed hitters and the knee on left handed hitters.

I am sure that if we checked he made the change because of some type injury.

There is a picture circling the internet that relates to your same question.

Are you sure that's not Gary Cederstrom??

No....the Mets/Reds game is Tim McClelland.

Nah,
 

It is old #36 . . . and he also has a camera on his head during the game.

Tim injured his knee last year and had to have surgery. I remember reading that he rehabbed it in AAA doing an I-cubs game.

Lawrence

I remember McClelland being out for a very long time last season during the summer months. I assumed he was injured, but never knew for sure.

If I remember correctly, in the past few years there have been a few guys who have switched from the knee. Brinkman, Meriwether, Tim Welke, and McClelland who all have switched now. Coincidence?

it was interesting seeing McClelland's new stance after 20 years. My guess is that the new stance is much easier on the knees. As mentioned in a previous post many of the veteran umpires have switched out of the knee position. I am trying to think and off of the top of my head I believe that Wally Bell is now the only veteran umpire who still uses this position. Incidentally, I do believe that Brinkman did a much better job last year after changing his stance.

I know he's not a veteran, but I believe Brian Runge is the only umpire besides Bell that uses the knee stance.

and Brian, you're right, I think a lot of us commented on how much better Brinkman was last year because of the new stance.

The way Brian Runge sets up behind the plate is identical to how his father Paul used to set up. Brian also had an identical strike call to his fathers his first two years.

Oh, and Larry Young and Kerwin Danley also used to set up on one knee as well.

I saw Brian Runge work a spring training game in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. He was working a Gerry Davis stance.

Speaking of injuries, Guccione, Davidson and Hickox are up. It looked like Crawford and Kellogg weren't with their crews; injuries?

Tom Hallion was filling in for Mark Carlson on Sunday night as well. It could be injuries or just early season vacations for all we know.

Has anyone heard anything about those "impending retirements", either a yes or no that some guys will retire??

Actually the knee is harder on the neck. Jim Evans explains why he doesn't recomend it but will work with you on it. The way you neck requires to be supported puts tough wear on the neck over time. I am sure though that the knees can be part of the problem too though.

Jim's big thing (the two times I've met him) has always been that the SCISSORS is bad on the neck because you are holding your head forward -- I've never heard him say the same thing about the knee.

The thing about the knee is that I've seen too many shorter umpires use it and it puts their heads WAY too low to be effective behind the plate.