Angel Hernandez new low...

[lawump]

We can all post what we want about Angel. However, I know for a fact several AAA reserve umpires look up to him quite a bit and regard him as one of the MLB umpires who truly wants to help younger umpires and does not feel threatened by them. In fact, I know one that has used the word "mentor" to describe him.

Second, MLB doesn't agree with the evaluations of Angel that most of us internet umpires have posted...as reflected by the number of post-season assignments he has received. Simply put...he's one of the best Ques-Tec umpires in MLB.

You all can post on and on about "being a great Ques-Tec umpire doesn't make you a great umpire" and on and on. However, being a great Ques-Tec umpire means a hell of a lot to the MLB front office, period. Every pro umpire knows it. I know how much some AAA reserve umpires sweat before a plate game in a Ques-Tec park: They know its a big evaluation!

Since 2000 he has worked: 2 Division Series; 4 LCS; and 2 World Series. Someone thinks he's doing a pretty good job.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

help a old codger out here--WHY is ti a crime to look at a lineup card??

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

help a old codger out here--WHY is ti a crime to look at a lineup card??

Some umpires think it's smittyish to look at your indicator more than once an inning. He (according to the OP) looked at a lineup card twice in one batter.

1. It seems odd that he would be holding a lineup card in hand during live ball action.
2. Even more odd to be looking at it between pitches.

If it had info needed pertinent to the situation then call time and get the issue straightened out. If not, then leave it in your pocket and get the rookies autograph between innings.
A crime? no
Something to emulate? certainly not.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

Some umpires think it's smittyish to look at your indicator more than once an inning. He (according to the OP) looked at a lineup card twice in one batter.

1. It seems odd that he would be holding a lineup card in hand during live ball action.
2. Even more odd to be looking at it between pitches.

If it had info needed pertinent to the situation then call time and get the issue straightened out. If not, then leave it in your pocket and get the rookies autograph between innings.
A crime? no
Something to emulate? certainly not.

thank you don thats helpful info (serious, no joke here). I see that lookin at a card was a big deal..,,its a new prespective for me.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

I see that lookin at a card was a big deal..,,its a new prespective for me.

Not a big deal. You minimized it when Tuss brought it up, I just brought the perspective that it was an unneeded distraction and unprofessional.

If you think holding the card in hand and looking at it between pitches is helpful and a good way to manage the game then say so.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

didnt say that butim not going to crucifya guy in public for lookin at a lineup card twice for a totalof prolly 10 secs in the coarse of a 3 hr ballgame. sorry get yourraw meat somewhere else.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

didnt say that butim not going to crucifya guy in public for lookin at a lineup card twice for a totalof prolly 10 secs in the coarse of a 3 hr ballgame. sorry get yourraw meat somewhere else.

Pointing out unusual behavior that is improper is neither crucifying or carniverous.
Is Angel your little brother or what?

(Edited to help SDS understand toungue in cheek comment)


Because Larry Hernandez's I mean Johnson's comments were so intense regarding my mild aversion to Angel's lineup card infatuation,
I asked a toungue in cheek question to point out that his response may have bordered on overkill.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Johnson...Hernandez...hmmmm. I'm guessing not.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by lawump

Second, MLB doesn't agree with the evaluations of Angel that most of us internet umpires have posted...as reflected by the number of post-season assignments he has received. Simply put...he's one of the best Ques-Tec umpires in MLB.

...

Since 2000 he has worked: 2 Division Series; 4 LCS; and 2 World Series. Someone thinks he's doing a pretty good job.

I thought that the new system rotates all MLB umps through the playoffs. Not a merit-based assignment any longer.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I thought that the new system rotates all MLB umps through the playoffs. Not a merit-based assignment any longer.

Post season assignments in MLB are based on performance during the year.

[mattmets]

Not sure how reliable this is, but it's something...

http://www.mlb4u.com/leagueinfo.php

Postseason umpires are chosen on the basis of their performance during the regular season. The 2005 selections were made during a two-day meeting in which all seven supervisors participated. The committee considered 10 criteria for each umpire: Strike-zone performance , Situation management, Experience, Plays handled, Missed calls, Overall umpiring knowledge , Pace of game, Mobility, In-season supervisor comments, Hustle/focus/demeanor. Frank Pulli is the sole umpire supervisor who evaluates umpires' ball-strike calls, reviewing QuesTec discs of each plate performance. He is only permitted to make adjustments on questionable pitches on the edge of the zone, and can only add to an umpire's score, not subtract from it.

[lawump]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I thought that the new system rotates all MLB umps through the playoffs. Not a merit-based assignment any longer.

The old system did as you suggested. The new system has a strong component of merit. You have them switched.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by lawump

The old system did as you suggested. The new system has a strong component of merit. You have them switched.

Thanks for the update. I'm glad they're moving in the right direction.

Next step: after every season, take the worst 3 MLB umps and demote them to AAA (or retire them), and take the best 3 AAA umps and promote them to MLB.