Manager Acts Like a Dipstick, I'm Sorry to Say

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

In all my years I have never once heard an umpire complain about being called "blue". But if you don't like it, that's certainly within your rights.

Well, if you were in my association, you would know that the majority of the seasoned umpires there absolutely hate being referred to as Blue, and find it demeaning and derogatory. Call any of these umpires Blue, and you will be ignored.

[LMan]

I really don't see how "hey, ump" is perceived as superior to "hey, blue."

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LMan

I really don't see how "hey, ump" is perceived as superior to "hey, blue."

I think it's pretty disrespectful to start any sentence with "Hey," no matter what follows.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well, if you were in my association, you would know that the majority of the seasoned umpires there absolutely hate being referred to as Blue, and find it demeaning and derogatory. Call any of these umpires Blue, and you will be ignored.

Times change - the meaning of "blue" now is not what it was then. If you take offense to it it's because YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO and not because of the way it was intended in today's culture. I would venture to say there isn't a more than one coach in a thousand and even less players who would even know that, so unless you educate them, it will continue.

[3appleshigh]

Hey, You just won the lottery!

I don't think that is disrespectful. LOL

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

Hey, You just won the lottery!

I don't think that is disrespectful. LOL

I'll make an exception in that case!

[bossman72]

"hey blue" doesn't bother me...

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by bossman72

"hey blue" doesn't bother me...

It doesn't bother me either, I just don't respond well to it. I don't let stuff like that bother me. I'm very professional when I'm on the field, and would never outwardly display any frustration over something so trivial. I just simply do not like being addressed as "Blue," and that is my prerogative.

[David B]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well, if you were in my association, you would know that the majority of the seasoned umpires there absolutely hate being referred to as Blue, and find it demeaning and derogatory. Call any of these umpires Blue, and you will be ignored.

Makes no sense at all to me - you go to MLB and what do fans holler - come on Blue etc.,

If an umpire don't want to be called blue then he's simply being a jerk IMO.

I simply call it tradition ... and I like tradition.

thanks
David

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by David B

Makes no sense at all to me - you go to MLB and what do fans holler - come on Blue etc.,

If an umpire don't want to be called blue then he's simply being a jerk IMO.

I simply call it tradition ... and I like tradition.

thanks
David

Well, I must know a sh!tload of jerks, because that is the concensus of the umpires that I know.

What does what ignorant baseball fans holler at the umpire have to do with the proper way to address the umpire while a game participant? Like Tony Gwynn once said, "F*** the fans, they don't know anything." I never said I cared what the fans called me. Of course those idiots are going to call the umpire "Blue," because they don't know better.

It is not tradition to call the umpire "Blue," any more than it is tradition to refer to African-Americans with the "N" word. They are both words used by ignorant people. Calling an umpire Blue is derived from the umpire "blew the call." That is where it came from, not the color of the umpire's shirt.

[FTVMartin]

To me, Blue is not offensive. Certainly can not be compared with the N-word. But I feel that refering to a coach as coach shows much more respect towards him than using his first name. Even when I do know it.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by FTVMartin

To me, Blue is not offensive. Certainly can not be compared with the N-word.

Nincapoop?

[SanDiegoSteve]

That's Mr. Nincapoop to you!

[SAump]

Just don't blow it into my ear in public.
When I am far away (> 60 ft), call me blue and I will ignore what you say.
When I am closer within earshot (< 60 feet), call me ump and I will listen to what you say.
When I am in front of you, call me Sir because I prefer it.
You can get away without saying Sir as long as I understand that you do it with tact.
(Cue country music) But you can never, never call me by my name. (Cue end of country music)

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by David B

Makes no sense at all to me - you go to MLB and what do fans holler - come on Blue etc.,

If an umpire don't want to be called blue then he's simply being a jerk IMO.

I simply call it tradition ... and I like tradition.

thanks
David

So fans are the arbiters of what umpires are called? Okay, in that case, how do you feel about a$$hole? It's just as popular with them as "blue."

I haven't met a MiLB or MLB umpire yet who liked being called blue.

Tradition? It goes back further than "blue."