Rob Drake's ejection

[UES]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

Did anyone just see Drake toss Piniella? Can someone give me an example of a more horse**** ejection at the MLB level? I'm struggling to find one.

For those who didn't see it, Fairchild (at first) said the hitter didn't go on a half-swing, then Piniella comes out a little bit and Fairchild put his hand up and said not to come out. Lou has a few quick words from long distance, goes back towards the dugout, and Drake throws him out while Lou isn't even facing the field or either umpire.

Disclaimer: I'm a Cubs fan.

Brian,

This post shows your true colors - you are fan #1 and an umpire #2, however, I won't hold it against you.

Fairchild did exactly what probably every other AAA fill in did (not including Drake or Gooch since they're pretty much full timers anyways). As Pinella came out onto the field to argue the check swing, Fairchild put the stop sign up and told Pinella to "Don't come out here". While Pinella stopped, he continued to pop off and get in a couple more shots, Drake decided he had heard enough and took the EJ for Fairchild.

Considering the status of Fairchild and Pinella, I think Fairchild handled it about as good as you can considering if he would have dumped Pinella from long distance, Pinella would have created a major scene. Fairchild did what MLB wants him to do and that is "try" to keep him in the game if possible. Drake, on the other hand, saw that Pinella was taking advantage of a younger AAA fill-in, stuck up for his partner and took the EJ himself.

As the plate umpire, when you ask for help on a check swing, you do not allow a team to go after your partner because they didn't agree with his decision. Drake did exactly what any "umpire's umpire" would do and that is stick up for his partner. While it may have not looked pretty, it was the right thing to do and that is ANOTHER example of why Drake will be the next full time MLB umpire. Could Fairchild have dumped Pinella...yes, Should Fairchild have dumped Pinella... maybe but talking about it in the lockeroom, Fairchild probably thanked Drake for taking the bullet for him. That is what umpires do for each other.

Brian, ofcourse, you would not understand this because you are a FAN. Maybe you should visit a baseball blog for FANS - I think you would be more comfortable there rather than here - this is for UMPIRES

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UES

Brian,

This post shows your true colors - you are fan #1 and an umpire #2, however, I won't hold it against you.
-snipped-
Brian, ofcourse, you would not understand this because you are a FAN. Maybe you should visit a baseball blog for FANS - I think you would be more comfortable there rather than here - this is for UMPIRES

I'm guessing you don't know Brian very well. He's about as umpire as you can get. Umpires can be fans as well as umpires. I don't think Drake handled the situation ideally myself, and I'm a White Sox fan. Saying that Brian wouldn't understand something because he's a fan is just asinine at best. Not only is Brian a top-notch umpire (who doesn't need any help from me, but I've got his back anyway) he is also is a passionate Cubs fan. That doesn't make him more fan than umpire, by a long shot.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by UES

Brian,

Fairchild did exactly what probably every other AAA fill in did (not including Drake or Gooch since they're pretty much full timers anyways). As Pinella came out onto the field to argue the check swing, Fairchild put the stop sign up and told Pinella to "Don't come out here". While Pinella stopped, he continued to pop off and get in a couple more shots, Drake decided he had heard enough and took the EJ for Fairchild.

What, does the MLB assign guardian angels for the minor leaguers?

Originally Posted by UES

Considering the status of Fairchild and Pinella, I think Fairchild handled it about as good as you can considering if he would have dumped Pinella from long distance, Pinella would have created a major scene.

So a major league umpire, with every reason to dump, decides not to because he is afraid?
If that's true he's may be qualified for LL duty, but I doubt it.

Originally Posted by UES

Fairchild did what MLB wants him to do and that is "try" to keep him in the game if possible. Drake, on the other hand, saw that Pinella was taking advantage of a younger AAA fill-in, stuck up for his partner and took the EJ himself.

That may be OK in LL. The seasoned umpire taking up for the fragile 13 yr old on the bases that's getting an earful from a daddy coach, but I don't see it here.
Ever hear of "trial by fire" or "experience is the best teacher" or "learn by your mistakes"?
Fairchild is a seasoned umpire, I doubt he needs protecting.

Originally Posted by UES

As the plate umpire, when you ask for help on a check swing, you do not allow a team to go after your partner because they didn't agree with his decision. Drake did exactly what any "umpire's umpire" would do and that is stick up for his partner.

Once Drake allowed Pinnella on the field and at best, once Fairchild interacted with Pinnella, it was out of Drake's hands.
Now it's between Chad and Lou and Drake is out of the pic.
If Drake wanted to stick up for his partner he should have stopped Lou before Chad had to.
And I think that's what Brian was saying as well.
Not that I'm trying to protect him or anything

Originally Posted by UES

While it may have not looked pretty, it was the right thing to do and that is ANOTHER example of why Drake will be the next full time MLB umpire. Could Fairchild have dumped Pinella...yes, Should Fairchild have dumped Pinella... maybe but talking about it in the lockeroom, Fairchild probably thanked Drake for taking the bullet for him. That is what umpires do for each other.

Why would Drake making the ejection be considered taking a bullet?

If I was U1 and had successfully turned Pinnella away without much effort at all and then PU ejects, as you allude to, on my behalf, I'd be peeved.
I don't think I'd be thanking him in the locker room. Rather, we may be adding ejection ettiquette(sp) to the pre game.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by CO ump

What, does the MLB assign guardian angels for the minor leaguers?



So a major league umpire, with every reason to dump, decides not to because he is afraid?
If that's true he's may be qualified for LL duty, but I doubt it.


(blah, blah, blah, edited)

All of this wisdom, no doubt, comes from your many years of MLB experience.

What a crock.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

All of this wisdom, no doubt, comes from your many years of MLB experience.

What a crock.

There's 34 other posts on this subject including yours. How many years of experience at the MLB level do you think there is in total from all these posters?


Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I'm guessing you didn't understand my premise.

I wasn't accusing Fairchild of not being a good umpire. I was responding to UES who made many suppositions.
1. He didn't eject because he was afraid of the major scene Lou would have made.
I doubt that was his reason, but IF it was.....
2. Fairchild was thankful that Drake took the bullett
I doubt that he was, and I explained why. Do you disagree?
3. It was Drake's responsibility to protect his crew member on a check swing call
Maybe, but he waited way to long to start protecting IMO and it made Fairchild look weak, and I don't think he appreciated it. I know I wouldn't and I explained why.

Disagreeing with an opinion is one thing, calling it a crock seems ignorant.

MLB aside. I have 2 questions for you

1. How many times as U1 have you required, needed or wanted PU to rescue you and take over for you in a dicussion with a coach pre-ejection?


2. How many times have you inserted yourself into another seasoned umps discussion and taken over?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by CO ump

Fairchild is a seasoned umpire, I doubt he needs protecting.

Which season was that? A little more salt and pepper please!

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Which season was that? A little more salt and pepper please!

I didn't say seasoned MLB ump.
Just how long has he been a professional ump?

[Lorothian]

Not really MRUMPIRE, how many ejections do you hear about in a year's time?? Across MLB?

Drake had 17 in one year alone.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by Lorothian

Not really MRUMPIRE, how many ejections do you hear about in a year's time?? Across MLB?

Drake had 17 in one year alone.

Then 18 in his other 9 years seems pretty reasonable, doesn't it?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Lorothian

Drake had 17 in one year alone.

So what? I don't recall one of these. Sounds like he took care of business when needed.

The sun came up today; it will tomorrow - let's move on...

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by CO ump

That may be OK in LL. The seasoned umpire taking up for the fragile 13 yr old on the bases that's getting an earful from a daddy coach, but I don't see it here.

[B]I'll[B] take issue with that. If any manager came out of the dugout to argue a check swing, every one of my 13 year LL umpires would dump him in a heartbeat. They just got back from the weeklong in San Beradino, and are itching to have someone put one toe over the line.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Again I ask, WHAT SEASON did Chad Fairchild become a SEASONED umpire? He's a AAA umpire, so where has he gotten the tag, "seasoned," from?

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Again I ask, WHAT SEASON did Chad Fairchild become a SEASONED umpire? He's a AAA umpire, so where has he gotten the tag, "seasoned," from?

I believe it was 2005, on a flight to Denver, he got some extra oregano on his pasta primavera.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Again I ask, WHAT SEASON did Chad Fairchild become a SEASONED umpire? He's a AAA umpire, so where has he gotten the tag, "seasoned," from?

I believe he's been around long enough to handle himself at first base.
You don't make it to MLB with out a season or two of experience.
And relative to my post Fairchild is seasoned enough to handle his own ejections.
If any MLB ump needs protecting as UES suggested he shouldn't be there

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by CO ump

I believe he's been around long enough to handle himself at first base.
You don't make it to MLB with out a season or two of experience.
And relative to my post Fairchild is seasoned enough to handle his own ejections.
If any MLB ump needs protecting as UES suggested he shouldn't be there

Trust me, Chad can handle business when needed. I still suspect Lou said something that only Rob could hear, resulting in the ejection. Perhaps Rob could have done the mask off "What did you say big guy" routine to see if Lou would charge the plate bit he chose to simply dump him.