Bruce to call #5,000

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by RonRef

I was wrong, it doesn't seem that the runner was safe, there is no doubt that he was safe. Pudge looks surprised that he was called out.

The video is a little blurry and the size of a baseball card. How in the world can you say he blew the call?

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The video is a little blurry and the size of a baseball card. How in the world can you say he blew the call?

I am not a big Bruce fan, I think (my opinion) that Bruce is in the bottom 10% of the league and should have been let go when all the union stuff went down years ago. He kept his job because he is friends with Bud Selig. He is taking up a spot that should have gone to a AAA guys long ago.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by RonRef

I am not a big Bruce fan, I think (my opinion) that Bruce is in the bottom 10% of the league and should have been let go when all the union stuff went down years ago. He kept his job because he is friends with Bud Selig. He is taking up a spot that should have gone to a AAA guys long ago.

Who, Bob Davidson? Balkin' Bob couldn't carry Bruce's jock, but he keeps reappearing for some reason. I don't get the attraction.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Who, Bob Davidson? Balkin' Bob couldn't carry Bruce's jock, but he keeps reappearing for some reason. I don't get the attraction.

SD Steve,

I would include Bob in the bottom 10%! Totally agree that Davidson didn't warrant a rehire to the majors!

[nickrego]

I watched part of the game last night.

I don't know this Bruce guy personally, so I have nothing against "him", but...

Now that he has reached his milestone, he needs to go bye-bye.

He is in no shape to be working as an official in any sport other than Arm Wrestling.

He is basically calling pitches standing up, because he can't get down. Good thing he is short.

I'm sorry, but there are too many good umpires trying to work their way up that have respect for themselves, the game, and the job. If umpiring weren't a "Tenure" position, we would have a lot better umpires in the MLB.

And just for the record, I feel the same for people in positions of protecting public safety (Police, Fire, EMT, etc.), or where physical conditioning is a requirement of the job you are doing.

Oh, and don't get me started on the theory of "Tenure" !

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by nickrego

Oh, and don't get me started on the theory of "Tenure" !

Actually the theory of tenure is fairly solid. The implementation of it, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Actually the theory of tenure is fairly solid. The implementation of it, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

Do you mean because there is no accountability once someone receives tenure?

And to Nick: I was looking and Bruce hasnt received a postseason assignment since the 2003 NLDS. Coincidence?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by nickrego

He is in no shape to be working as an official in any sport other than Arm Wrestling.

He is basically calling pitches standing up, because he can't get down. Good thing he is short.

I'm sorry, but there are too many good umpires trying to work their way up that have respect for themselves, the game, and the job.

I must disagree with you Nick.

Bruce Froemming has always been quick on his feet, as are many overweight people. Maybe the perception is that he is fat and out of shape, but he can still motor around the ballfield just fine. I've seen him on rotations, and he may not be as fast as he once was, when he routinely challenged and beat skinny guys in match races, but he can still get to all of his positions. He hustles when he needs to hustle, and doesn't when he doesn't need to hustle.

Yes, he is short. Short people don't have to get down lower. His head height ends up the same as the tall people working the GD stance. He has been working the scissors for years, and has no need to get any lower because he's already there. He doesn't stand like that because he "can't get down." He can get down, and boogie too! I wish sometimes that I was short like he is, because it looks so darn comfortable and effortless, which is also one of the benefits of the much ballyhooed Gerry Davis ™ © ® stance, as well.

If you don't think a man with Bruce Froemming's integrity and accomplishments has respect for the game, the job, or himself, then you're right...you don't know him at all.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I must disagree with you Nick.

Bruce Froemming has always been quick on his feet, as are many overweight people. Maybe the perception is that he is fat and out of shape, but he can still motor around the ballfield just fine. I've seen him on rotations, and he may not be as fast as he once was, when he routinely challenged and beat skinny guys in match races, but he can still get to all of his positions. He hustles when he needs to hustle, and doesn't when he doesn't need to hustle.

Yes, he is short. Short people don't have to get down lower. His head height ends up the same as the tall people working the GD stance. He has been working the scissors for years, and has no need to get any lower because he's already there. He doesn't stand like that because he "can't get down." He can get down, and boogie too! I wish sometimes that I was short like he is, because it looks so darn comfortable and effortless, which is also one of the benefits of the much ballyhooed Gerry Davis ™ © ® stance, as well.

If you don't think a man with Bruce Froemming's integrity and accomplishments has respect for the game, the job, or himself, then you're right...you don't know him at all.

I have to disagree with you on his size. He is getting paid over $350,000 to umpire, is it too much to ask that he and all other umpires be in shape. The NBA and NFL put restrictions on their officials size, why not MLB! If he was 20 years old and going to umpire school he wouldn't even make it to the minors.

[mattmets]

Just something I noticed while watching the ceremony at Fenway for Bruce, 31-year vet Ed Montague (or a dead ringer for him) was there behind Bruce the whole time. Also, during the meeting at home plate, it seemed like Brian Runge and Paul Emmel stood back, while Bruce and Mike Winters held the conference. I only mention this because one of the articles I read noted that Bruce and Mike have worked almost 900 games together.

Congrats to Bruce, and hopefully we'll see one last playoff appearance for Bruce before he retires.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Congrats to Bruce, and hopefully we'll see one last playoff appearance for Bruce before he retires.

Oh, God, please, no.

[RonRef]

Let's not just give him a playoff series because he has been around for 5000 games. He should earn it on his performance, not a life time achievement award!