44 years later...

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

And jeez, Bruce, don't you travel with more than one pair of plate pants?

You can tell this author is biased against umpires (who isn't?). He said Froemming "pathetically" kicked the dirt off the plate the rest of the game. So what? The foot-brush works just fine, and I'm sure he didn't look pathetic doing it.

[SethPDX]

I don't think it's possible for Froemming to look pathetic doing anything on the field.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

I don't think it's possible for Froemming to look pathetic doing anything on the field.

On the field, Froemming looked pathetic just squeezing that load into an umpire uniform.

Off the field he looked beyond pathetic when he called an umpire adminstrator a "Jew b!tch."

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Ump153

On the field, Froemming looked pathetic just squeezing that load into an umpire uniform.

That's really not very nice. People come in all shapes and sizes, and it's no better fat-bashing than it is to criticize any other physical attributes. Give me your bio and I'll find something to bash you about.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

That's really not very nice. People come in all shapes and sizes, and it's no better fat-bashing than it is to criticize any other physical attributes. Give me your bio and I'll find something to bash you about.

Like it or not, it's true.

Why do you think none of the newer MLB umps are fat? Why do you think that chubby MiLB umps are told to lose weight?

The perception of both the public and MLB is that fat, grossly obese umpires look terrible, lazy and less competent that those with athletic frames.

The days of Froemming fatasses are over. Just a fact of life.

Edited to add:

Your attemp to include the obese with the truly disabled is sad. A parapalegic can't grow new limbs. An obese umpire can lose weight. Haven't you?

[Kevin Finnerty]

Steve's in a battle with weight that I am familiar with. He's winning it and he will win it. He will deserve all the credit in the world when he wins it, because it's extremely difficult.

And another battle he's winning is the one where he questioned your fair-mindedness and compassion as a human being. You obviously have very little room in your narrow existence for certain people, just because they don't fit your superior mold.

You know what that's called, right?

[Kevin Finnerty]

There's an umpire around here who doesn't move well due to weight and injuries. He sees everything, gets great angles, has superior knowledge and is flat-out better at umpiring than most of us who move well and wear off-the-rack sizes.

It's as rude and narrow-minded to be exclusive of certain umpires due to appearance as it is in other walks of life.

The best quote I ever heard on this: "He's narrow-minded, but at least he leaves room for himself."

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Ump153

Your attemp to include the obese with the truly disabled is sad. A parapalegic can't grow new limbs. An obese umpire can lose weight. Haven't you?

Obesity is one of the main criterion to qualify for Social Security Disability, so it most definitely is a true disability. Many people are genetically disposed to being heavy. Fortunately for me, I am not. I just loved to eat too much, and can lose weight. It is much harder for many people who would just love to be thin. They exercise and eat right, but still can't lose any significant weight. Research the subject before judging others for their weight problems.

[Steven Tyler]

She?s 6-foot-6, 480 pounds ... and still growing - TODAY Health

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Obesity is one of the main criterion to qualify for Social Security Disability, so it most definitely is a true disability. Many people are genetically disposed to being heavy. Fortunately for me, I am not. I just loved to eat too much, and can lose weight. It is much harder for many people who would just love to be thin. They exercise and eat right, but still can't lose any significant weight. Research the subject before judging others for their weight problems.

Completely understand. Still, they won't make it in professional umpiring. That's my point, and despite your emotional attachment to your argument, it is a fact.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by Ump153

On the field, Froemming looked pathetic just squeezing that load into an umpire uniform.

And yet he somehow commanded respect from players and managers. There must have been some other qualities he had.

Originally Posted by Ump153

Off the field he looked beyond pathetic when he called an umpire adminstrator a "Jew b!tch."

I agree, not a good decision. You never said something offensive that you later regretted?