Possibly the most ignored rule in baseball?

[lawump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

What would not be considered credible about Luciano? He was a great storyteller and loved the game of baseball. He wrote the books The Umpire Strikes Back, Strike Two, and The Rise And Fall Of The Roman Umpire. The books are full of historical data, and are very well written as well as funny. Anybody who has something bad to say about Luciano is just a fat-basher, the same as the pukes that bashed Eric Gregg and John McSherry. Ron Luciano is a very credible source, and I just can't understand anyone saying differently.

First, I own all three books you cited and I loved them. Though I was in pro ball, it was long after Ron had left the game. As for the books, the first two you cited, might be two of the only books that actually made me laugh HARD outloud.

As to their credibility...I have no personal opinion as most of the stories told in the books happened before I was born. However...I have had some umpires tell me that Mr. Luciano "took some liberties".

Again, I have no idea if his books are word for word true, but numerous people have suggested otherwise (to me personally and to others). What their motive was for so suggesting is beyond me. The motive may have been legit or may have arisen for some other reason.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Sometimes I am amazed at the battles I must fight.

1) I wasn't implying that Luciano wasn't THE credible source. Read it again.

2) The first response concerning that tag line was the one expected.
Now, do you get it?

3) Please don't try to hijack this thread too.
Yes, you know who I am writing about.

[BlueLawyer]

Although, if I wanted to, I would. So here goes:

The most infamous incident in my memory in baseball is . . .

The George Brett/Tim McClelland pine tar incident.

Everybody on this board knows the rule, knows the opposing team's protest, and knows that Tim McClelland was 110% in the right.

A tape measure is not amongst the standard equipment I carry onto the field. I have thought about it recently, though, because I have observed this year a rather strange habit of teams putting tape on their bats more than 18" above the knob. Until the other team protests, though, I ain't hunting for fights. Zega at the pregame conference: "Are your players properly and legally equipped?" Coach: "yeah." Zega: "Let's play."

The point is this . . . we enforce some rules on our observation- we enforce some on the other team's protest. Some, like this one, we enforce not at all.

Strikes and outs!

[lawump]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

Sometimes I am amazed at the battles I must fight.

1) I wasn't implying that Luciano wasn't THE credible source. Read it again.

As has happened before, your post was not entirely clear to me...that's why I put my response to your prior post in the form of a question...I did not state that you were referring to Mr. Luciano, I was asking if you were (please note the use of a question mark in my prior post)...then I just noted that others have questioned Mr. Luciano's credibility, too.

I certainly was not trying to start a "battle" over this. You know, everytime I respond to one of your posts...its not to start a diatribe against you...sometimes I do post to agree with you.

As for your statement about hijacking this (or any) thread (whomever you are talking to): Can you say, "Hi Mr. Kettle, I'm Mr. Pot".

[NFump]

WHAT? WWTB hijack a thread? NEVER!

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

lawump,
We have recently agreed on a couple of topics, so maybe this is a turning point. I don't dispute that I am opinionated and egotistical - hell, I am an umpire after all. However, 'hijacking' a thread connotes that the subject is left behind and that the expected end point is not part of the new itinerary. I think you'll find that I try to keep on topic - even if it includes a few jabs, barbs and zingers. I believe that we have a few members that are better examples of tangental thinkers. Anyway, it's nice to know that on the other threads we can actually agree.

[GarthB]

Possibly the most ignored rule in baseball?

Yes, thankfully.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

lawump,
We have recently agreed on a couple of topics, so maybe this is a turning point. I don't dispute that I am opinionated and egotistical - hell, I am an umpire after all. However, 'hijacking' a thread connotes that the subject is left behind and that the expected end point is not part of the new itinerary. I think you'll find that I try to keep on topic - even if it includes a few jabs, barbs and zingers. I believe that we have a few members that are better examples of tangental thinkers. Anyway, it's nice to know that on the other threads we can actually agree.

Somebody pinch me if this mush leads to a first date

[lawump]

Originally Posted by SAump

Somebody pinch me if this mush leads to a first date

WWTB,

xxx's and ooo's baby.

Seriously...I attempt to respond to the thoughts, ideas and comments posted and not the person posting (although I'm not perfect). As such, I'm sure we'll both agree and disagree in the future!

Here's to the future!