Randy Mobley talks about AMLU rejection and Young Situation

[BenedictArnold]

That's it...I have heard it all. WWTB tries to substantiate his view by telling you to listen to the Mobley interview again. Do you honestly expect him to answer the question the following way:

ATM: Randy, how do you feel about the current situation regarding umpires?

Mobley: Well, this situation is not good for anyone. The replacements are not nearly as consistent as the trained umpires, but we are trying to get by. But don't worry, we will eventually give more money to get the trained umpires back.


Come on, get a clue. And Div2ump...you learn from this guy? He is a coward that hides in the shadows. Fitsy is not a bad guy. He does what he has to do. But Jeff...or I mean WWTB...comes onto a web site and posts his dribble. You learn from this guy...seriously man, where is your pride? Look at guys like JRutlege, at least he posts his real name and is willing to stand by it. And no, I am not going to post my name. Does that make me a hypocrite? Maybe. But if the alternative is to give ammunition to bottom feeders like WWTB, then I will have to remain unknown until this thing is resolved.

But don't worry, I am going to forward this interview to the AMLU so that they can see the light. I'm sure they will cave in and go back to work since Mobley stated that the replacements are doing a great job.

BTW...A PCL manager was just issued a ten game suspension for arguing with an umpire after the umpire took a live ball and put it in his ball bag on a drop 3rd strike. The manager didn't make contact with the umpire, he just argued too long. He then went public with his opinions about the umpires. Ten games...apparently arguing with a replacement umpire deserves the same penalty as a guilty finding of steroid use under the 2005 standard. Now I ask you...who is the real hypocrite here?

[DIV2ump]

Originally Posted by BenedictArnold

BTW...A PCL manager was just issued a ten game suspension for arguing with an umpire after the umpire took a live ball and put it in his ball bag on a drop 3rd strike. The manager didn't make contact with the umpire, he just argued too long. He then went public with his opinions about the umpires. Ten games...apparently arguing with a replacement umpire deserves the same penalty as a guilty finding of steroid use under the 2005 standard. Now I ask you...who is the real hypocrite here?

Benedict,

I have no problem with the minor lg. umps trying to get more money. I just think they have gone about it the wrong way by trying to hurt the game and attacking fellow umpires, calling them scabs and worse. There's guys working who make very little calling H.S. or lower level college games and who have to pay for their own health and liability insurance. It sounds like many more D1 guys will be working soon too.

As for WWTB i think what he says needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but he give more facts than most of the posters who are either rabid pro union and if you don't have the blinders on and agree that everyone else is a scab and lousy umpire, or blindly support the other side.

Who was the PCL manager? I thought the steroid penalty was now 50 games. Do you recall a manager ever interfering with a live ball before?

Appreciate your thoughts.

[BenedictArnold]

Redhaws manager Tim Ireland was the manager suspended by the PCL.

Please know that I am neither pro union or anti scab. I do not think that what they are doing is right. But they are not doing this to pay their insurance either. I still stand by my point that they are doing this because they have always sat on the couch and said that they can do a better job than the MLB guys. If they want my respect, however, I need to see them work 21 days in a row and travel throughout a league. Then take a day off. Then do it all over again. Then they will have my respect.

Thanks for your thoughts though. It is nice to have a discussion without someone trying to cut down your opinion. This forum is for debate. I often will look at umpire.org and remember that that site was once permitting anon. posts. Now look at it. This hobby we have is a lot of fun when you are on the field. But there are just too many guys out there that enjoy cutting people down when they know they cannot be identified. It reminds me of a coach...at any level...that waits until the pitcher has released the ball to take their cheap shot. To those novice umpires out there that don't know what I am talking about, they wait until they know you aren't looking at them to take a cheap shot. Let me give those new umpires a little advice.

The first time this happens, call the pitch. Then remove your mask and look directly into the dugout and say, "I am right here and I will be here all game. If you have something to say, be a man and say it to my face. But if you continue to act like a coward then I will start to throw people out of the game. And I will begin with you, (and point directly at the coach or player that you think is taking the cheap shot.) Now this is just my advice, say whatever you want back to them. But the one thing I will say, don't forget to call the pitch first.

Thanks for the thoughts Div2ump.

Before I forget...I was talking about the 2005 penalty for steroid use. I know they changed it now. So then I guess my question would be if they remain consistent, and WWTB is right about the system remaining with replacement umpires, are they going to increase that penalty next year to 50 for arguing with a replacement? I know it is extreme, but I am convinced baseball will do everything in its power to protect these umpires. Yet another example of how these guys are treated differently than the trained umpires. When I was in AA...many many years ago, I remember reporting to my league president about a fan that threw a cup of something at my partner. The question asked in return was whether or not the cup hit us. I asked if it mattered and the league president responded by saying, "Yes, it would have cost me a new hat if it had coolaide in it." Just another story to illustrate my point.

Oh yeah, about the scab gallery. I completely agree with you. Bringing that out during the negotiations was a poor decision. But I see that they have now eliminated access. So they must have seen their mistake. I guess the next question is whether or not they will put it up after this thing is over. Now that will be a true test to their character. But for the meantime, they have done the right thing and removed it. Even WWTB needs to recognize that. But who are we kidding, Jeff...I'm sorry again...I mean WWTB will never admit that the AMLU has done anything right because he is still angry with Andy and the others about being shown the door.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Good Lord, how can they do that? Friggin' wake up and read what you wrote!

They were asked to replace the umpires who turned thier backs of a system. When the year began, most of the replacements were looking at college and high school schedules. With the exception for those who worked MiLB prior or those who just graduated, none had the intention of becoming a MiLB umpire this season. Most aren't looking at this as a stepping stone to something better. I've spoken to a few replacement umpires and they all say that they understand the predicament that the AMLU guys have realized. They feel sorry that they chose to abandon their dreams because of a misguided attempt by the brass to force PBUC's hand. I can't find too many posts that directly chastise a particular umpire. They are doing a thankless job and are the target of some pretty serious retribution.

While you may think that they aren't entitled to work those games, who should? The men who were asked to do it declined. Should these games go unplayed and the careers of players, stadium employees and administration people suffer? There is far too much invested in the system to let that happen. Amateur umpires have taken great strides in improving their skills and knowledge. Our professional brethren have learned this the hard way.

Prior to the strike, I warned this board that more than a few amateurs would be up to the task. We've witnessed a coming of age and yes it is at a small group's expense. Some of us pleaded with the AMLU membership to not strike. Others have taken advantage of the opprtunity provided. I can't understand why some find fault with their decision. What should they have done..stepped aside and stood united with guys who really don't give a rat's patottey about helping us improve our pay schedules? Come on...they can't have it both ways.