The Hall of Fame umpires all had an impact on the game in addition to possessing great judgement. Bill KLem created arm signals and the inside protector, Cal Hubbard, developed positioning for base umpires, Jocko Conlan was colorful and a natty dresser and well respected, Al Barlick umped in 7 all star games and 7 world series,Tom Connolly took over development of umpires for the American League after a great career on the field, same for Billy Evans who was a prolific author on umpiring, Bill McGowan worked 8 world series and never missed an inning in his career,Nestor Chylak dealt with such unprecedented unruly fans from ten cent beer night, and disco demolition, in addition to being one of the most respected umpires of all time.

Anyone who diminishes their election to the Hall of Fame diminishes the game, as well.

I sure hope that idiot Ron Luciano didn't make it.

My finalists (the rest would never get in) would be:

• Bert Blyleven - A 287-250 pitcher on some dreadful teams.

• Andre Dawson - 2774 hits, 438 home runs. Never played in a World Series.

• Rich Gossage - 10 years as dominating closer. He's borderline for the same reason as Dale Murphy -- the second half of his career was less than spectacular.

• Jack Morris - Even with only 254 wins. Put the ball in his hands and you'd win.

• Dale Murphy - See Rich Gossage.

• Jim Rice - The only advantage Rice has over Murphy is batting average and an earlier retirement.

At the end of the day, I'd vote for Blyleven, Dawson, and Rice in that order.

I'd pass on McGwire because he was a dreadful player before the HGH/Steroids era. It's how I can justify seeing Bonds in and McGwire not in. I liked watching Dave Kingman hit, too, but McGwire's Oakland years resembled Kingman more than Bonds.

Those that dismiss Luciano only know him from his books. He was a very good umpire who decided that umpiring didn't need to be boring.

He'd never get in the HOF anyway. He only umpired for 12 seasons before he got bored with it and tried television, sporting goods, and writing. It's too bad that mental illness claimed him so young.

It's why Harvey should get in, certainly, but they also should take a hard look at Jim Evans and Harry Wendlestedt and their contributions both on and off the field.

Wow, that's pretty cheeky of your young a$$ to call someone like Ron Luciano an idiot. You seem very disrespectful of your elders. Your mommy should have washed your mouth out with soap a few times. It sounds like you were a spoiled child.

How do you take the Goose and not Eckersley?

Do you never tire of looking like a fool?

He's not on the list considering he was elected to the HOF in 2004.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/ho...layerId=113726

[giggle]

I like broadcasters in the Hall, but not umpires. I'll make an effort to listen to Scully call a game, yet I couldn't care less who's behind dish. Trust me, more baseball fans know who Eddie Layton is than all the MLB umpires who ever called a game combined. http://www.ultimateyankees.com/layton1.jpg

No one cares about umpires except other umpires. And not even all us care who's in the Hall, the next AAA ump in line for the call, or who's on vacation in July.

p.s. I loved Luciano when I was a kid. I used to shoot runners out when I was an eleven year old umpire, and he was my hero. He belongs in the Umpire's Hall of Fame, somewhere in Florida.

Eddie Layton is dead and a trivia answer to who played for the Yankees, Knicks and the Rangers. It is not a question that anyone outside of New York could answer or would care to even know the answer.
Organs are no longer part of most modern baseball stadiums having been replaced by such things as kiss cams, animation screens, and tee shirt giveaways.

Last time I checked umpires are still required, by the rules, to play the game.

A play on words. Cheeky, and a$$. Good one! I'm sure Steven Tyler would be proud.

First of all, the correct term to use is mother. Have some respect. As for the soap thing, we're in the 21st century. Studies have proven that corporal punishment is an ineffective way to solve problems.

What does disrespecting Ron Luciano have to do with one's childhood? I don't care how many Major League games he did. I read two of his books, and could list hundreds of idiotic things he admitted to doing as an umpire. To be associated with him is embarassing, so I don't understand why you are defending him.

If it were my selection
 

First Round (IN) over (OUT)
P • Bert Blyleven over P • Rod Beck
P • Tommy John over P • Chuck Finley
P • Jack Morris over P • Todd Stottlemyre
P • Lee Smith over P • Robb Nen
P • Rich Gossage over P • Jose Rijo
SS • Dave Concepcion over SS • Shawon Dunston
SS • Alan Trammell over 3B • Travis Fryman
1B • Don Mattingly over 2B • Chuck Knoblauch
RF • Dale Murphy over RF • David Justice
CF • Tim Raines over CF • Brady Anderson
LF • Andre Dawson over 1B • Mark McGwire
OF • Dave Parker over DH • Harold Baines
OF • Jim Rice

Second Round (IN) over (OUT)
P • Bert Blyleven over P • Jack Morris
P • Tommy John over P • Rich Gossage
P • Lee Smith
SS • Dave Concepcion over SS • Alan Trammell
1B • Don Mattingly
CF • Tim Raines over RF • Dale Murphy
LF • Andre Dawson over LF • Jim Rice
OF • Dave Parker

Third Round (IN) over (OUT)
P • Tommy John over P • Bert Blyleven
P • Lee Smith
1B • Don Mattingly over SS • Dave Concepcion
CF • Tim Raines
RF • Dave Parker over LF • Andre Dawson

Final Selection (IN) over (OUT)
P • Lee Smith over P • Tommy John
IF • Don Mattingly
OF • Tim Raines over OF • Dave Parker

Possibly passed over several well deserving players.
Can't explain why my choices were not selected before, nor presume they will be selected this year.

You don't have the experience he does, and we can list hundreds of idiotic things you did as an umpire.

I now see what you meant when you said that you were capable of being a higher-level umpire.