There is no conflict of interest since neither gained anything from the other.
Both made the major leagues on abiliity, not sibling help.

It is ludicrous to specualte that Umpire Haller would change a call to benefit his brother since umpires at that level are under constant scrutiny and supervision.

Major League Baseball would have raised red flags about the integrity of its umpires if it had refused to let the Hallers meet on the field.

By letting it happen the event is now nothing more than a footnote in baseball trivia.

I made no such specualtion. And I agree, not only due to the scrutiny, but also because of the shear integrity of the players and umpires at that level.

I made no implications about these two, or MLB (players or umpires). I agree with what you've said. However, there may have been underlying feelings about the fact that they were (are) related leading to U-Haller "wanting to f*** them." I don't know that and am not implying that this is true.

There was a broad question asked about calling a game with a relative playing. I answered just as broadly. I agree that there was nothing gained by these two. There are leagues that won't let you call your brother's, son's, daughter's...game just to avoid any possible conflict of interest. This is why I answered the general question as I did.

The integrity of all professional officials may have taken a hit in light of the current NBA/Tim Donaghy scandal. You can't blame fans, media or anyone else if they start to question the motives of officials.

Is the second base umpire Mike Reilly?

Well, thanks for heaping all officials into the sewer with the NBA.
But it would be wise to present some facts, first.

I don't control public opinion, Jim. And that's the fact, Jack.

Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Rose and Sheffield to name just a few that display such overwhelming integrity.

you have presented no facts.

And major league baseball just set an all time attendance record . So, what public opinion are you referring to?

Jim, you can argue this all you want but you can't deny the fact the there may be some people who view sports officials and athletes with some skepticism. Between the performance enhancing drugs and gambling scandals there's plenty of reasons that could contribute to someone's doubting the integrity of anyone, player or official, in pro sports.

How's this for a fact - "A stunning 61% of pro basketball fans suspect that ref Tim Donaghy, who is being investigated by the feds, isn't the only corrupt NBA official, the new Zogby Poll reveals."

source - New York Daily News

This particular survey is basketball specific but if you think that fans don't see all officials as part of the same fraternity you're fooling yourself.

I believe that this is the box score of the game:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98009170.shtml

Umps: Kaiser, Haller, Reilly, Goetz

Originally Posted by waltjp
The integrity of all professional officials may have taken a hit in light of the current NBA/Tim Donaghy scandal. You can't blame fans, media or anyone else if they start to question the motives of officials.

If you don't think we are, there's no need in trying to explain how we are. :p