Braves V Mets May 7th

[PanamaCityBrian]

With runners on first and third and one out, Smoltz hit a tapper in front of the plate against Jose Lima (0-1). Lo Duca fielded the ball with his right hand and lunged back in an attempt to tag Atlanta's Brian McCann. Plate umpire Angel Hernandez called McCann safe, and Lo Duca slammed the ball to the infield grass while arguing.

"I spiked it pretty good, probably better than Ickey Woods, but I didn't do the Ickey Shuffle," Lo Duca said.

Hernandez immediately ejected Lo Duca. Cox got tossed for arguing after Smoltz wasn't allowed to take second.

After the game, both Lima and Lo Duca said that Hernandez told them that he was calling pitches farther off the plate strikes for Smoltz, but not for Lima.

"When the umpire said 'I'm going to give you a couple of inches off the plate, but I'm not going to give you 4-5 inches because you're not John Smoltz,' I'm trying to protect my pitcher," Lo Duca said.



Can someone help me out... I am curious if this sounds alittle funny or these are just too players trying to get a rise out of the umpire ranks with these comments. I just would find it alittle unprofessional to say that to a player after a game like todays.

[David B]

Originally Posted by PanamaCityBrian

With runners on first and third and one out, Smoltz hit a tapper in front of the plate against Jose Lima (0-1). Lo Duca fielded the ball with his right hand and lunged back in an attempt to tag Atlanta's Brian McCann. Plate umpire Angel Hernandez called McCann safe, and Lo Duca slammed the ball to the infield grass while arguing.

"I spiked it pretty good, probably better than Ickey Woods, but I didn't do the Ickey Shuffle," Lo Duca said.

Hernandez immediately ejected Lo Duca. Cox got tossed for arguing after Smoltz wasn't allowed to take second.

After the game, both Lima and Lo Duca said that Hernandez told them that he was calling pitches farther off the plate strikes for Smoltz, but not for Lima.

"When the umpire said 'I'm going to give you a couple of inches off the plate, but I'm not going to give you 4-5 inches because you're not John Smoltz,' I'm trying to protect my pitcher," Lo Duca said.



Can someone help me out... I am curious if this sounds alittle funny or these are just too players trying to get a rise out of the umpire ranks with these comments. I just would find it alittle unprofessional to say that to a player after a game like todays.

Idiot catcher, doesn't he realize the umpires read the papers also.

And he thinks the strike zone was small for this game ... just wait until the next game.

Thanks
David

[LMan]

That's not atypical from a MLB ump, he's only stating the truth.


Even during the game, the announcers noted (after a close Lima pitch was balled by Hernandez) that if you are wild (as Lima was all day), then its accepted that you won't get as many close strikes as you do when you show control. That's baseball and LoDuca/Lima know that.

This is a attempt to show up Hernandez and you are right, the zone will be a postage stamp next time. But when you are F2 and toss yourself from a game in the 2d inning, what do you expect?

[SanDiegoSteve]

LoDuca missed the tag, Smoltz should have been allowed to advance to wherever he had advanced to, since the ball was still alive during the ejection.

It is not surprising that Lima and LoDuca would cry about the strike zone. Who does Lima think he is, Smoltz?

I have long been of the opinion that Angel Hernandez does not belong in the majors.

[BenedictArnold]

SDS, why even go there about Angel. He is a MLB umpire. You have your opinions. Great. What nmakes you qualified. I knwo Angel personally. He has several post season assignments. I am sure he doesn't belong in MLB but they give him those assignments anyways. Well that is incorrect. There are guys that have over ten years in MLB without a psot season assignment. Angel Hernandez is good umpire, by anyones standards. But more importantly, he is a good guy.

As for the play, PU never called time during the play. However, U1 called time when the manager came onto the field. U2 saw that Smoltz hadn't reached 2nd base when time was called. Therefore, Smoltz last legally occupied 1st base. Edn of play.

Cox argues with U2, and U1 must explain what happened. That is why U1 ejects Cox.

Hope this helps.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by BenedictArnold

As for the play, PU never called time during the play. However, U1 called time when the manager came onto the field. U2 saw that Smoltz hadn't reached 2nd base when time was called. Therefore, Smoltz last legally occupied 1st base. Edn of play.

Cox argues with U2, and U1 must explain what happened. That is why U1 ejects Cox.

Hope this helps.

U1 called time when WHICH manager came on the field? Ihave not seen the play.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BenedictArnold

SDS, why even go there about Angel. He is a MLB umpire. You have your opinions. Great. What nmakes you qualified. I knwo Angel personally. He has several post season assignments. I am sure he doesn't belong in MLB but they give him those assignments anyways. Well that is incorrect. There are guys that have over ten years in MLB without a psot season assignment. Angel Hernandez is good umpire, by anyones standards. But more importantly, he is a good guy.

As for the play, PU never called time during the play. However, U1 called time when the manager came onto the field. U2 saw that Smoltz hadn't reached 2nd base when time was called. Therefore, Smoltz last legally occupied 1st base. Edn of play.

Cox argues with U2, and U1 must explain what happened. That is why U1 ejects Cox.

Hope this helps.

Hey traitor to this country,

I know a few MLB umpires personally too. So what? I didn't say I was better, or qualified, or anything. I think Angel is a swell guy too. I just don't feel he is of MLB caliber. I think the same about several other MLB umpires too. Just because they made it to the show, doesn't mean they are the best of the best. There are AAA fill-ins, who, IMO, are better umpires than Hernandez. He is taking up a spot to which several umpires out there deserve a shot.

Do you honestly believe Bob Davidson is a great umpire? Just curious. How about Fred Brocklander? He was pretty brutal, but the league kept him around after the big strike. There are plenty of other examples.

I know Brian Runge personally, even worked several games with him, but I don't think he's that great of an umpire, and I know that he was put through because of his dad and grandpa's reputations. As was Hunter Wendelstedt, because of his father.

On the other hand, I know Mike Winters, and I feel he is one of the finest umpires in baseball. He is an instructor in my former association, and I really love his plate mechanics.

I'm glad you stick up for your friend Angel Hernandez, but I was just stating my opinion.

[BenedictArnold]

Now that is very well put. I can accept that explanation, albeit I don't necessarily agree with it. But at least youexplained yourself instead of attacking me. Thank you for the response. Now we just have to agree to disagree.