Is anyone else sick and tired ...

[Kevin Finnerty]

Is anyone else sick and tired of watching Tim McLelland mail it in? Can't he step aside and allow someone who isn't bored with umpiring have a shot? It doesn't even matter anymore. He kicks calls and strolls around like the game's an annoyance to him.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Is anyone else sick and tired of watching Tim McLelland mail it in? Can't he step aside and allow someone who isn't bored with umpiring have a shot? It doesn't even matter anymore. He kicks calls and strolls around like the game's an annoyance to him.

What happened?

[kylejt]

Since he stopped working from a knee (injury), he's been like Lerch behind the plate. Just awful. And that's a shame, because he used to be one of the best.

But you can't fire these guys, and no one has the balls to tell him he can't work any more, I guess. Pity.

[mbyron]

Has he missed calls? Been out of position? What's the problem?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Has he missed calls? Been out of position? What's the problem?

Yup. Padres vs. Rockies, 2007 one game playoff. Game ending play at the plate.

Plus, announcers have come to hate him because his calls are now so dreadfully slow. They don't know if it's a ball or a strike.

I know some MLB umpire lovers think that these guys have earned the right to do whatever they want to do on the field. Not me. I think they should be the standard bearer of what umpires should be. The best of the best.

[johnnyg08]

Would it have made a difference if he sold the heck out of it and still "got it wrong" in the eyes of the other side?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Would it have made a difference if he sold the heck out of it and still "got it wrong" in the eyes of the other side?

Speaking as a Padres fan: Absolutely.

It's one thing to miss a close call (who hasn't done that). But quite another to just stand there like you're in a fog. It just looks bad.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Plus, announcers have come to hate him because his calls are now so dreadfully slow. They don't know if it's a ball or a strike.

Yeah, and I always defended Greg Bonin for his "timing," but McClelland makes Bonin look like Frank Pulli in comparison. At least when Bonin called them, there was enthusiasm.

[Steven Tyler]

Saw T Mac work tonight. I thought he did great job. His timing isn't as slow as described in any post.

He just isn't as herky jerky as most umpires.

[PeteBooth]

Kyle I do not think we will ever get the "best of the best" unless the dinamics change.

In other professions you can make a decent living at the apprentice (learning ) level before you move up. In other words while you are "earning your stripes" you are not starving.

Look at the pay scale of a minor league umpire. Heck you can make more money by being a manager at Walmart.

Also, I believe you have so many years in the minors to "make it" after that you simply get a letter from MLB telling you MLB no longer requires your services. No severance pay no nothing.

How is that kind of system going to attract the "best of the best" It attracts those that can Live within those perameters. Ie; no family to support or if you are lucky a wife who makes good bucks etc. etc.

Also, being a MLB umpire is like being on the US Supreme Court meaning you are there for life for all practical purposes. How many spots are open each year? It is not that many

Therefore, until the dinamics change IMO, you will not see the best of the best.

Pete Booth

[SanDiegoSteve]

I find it just amazing that the same folks who always bash Froemming are willing to fall all over themselves to defend McClelland. Bruce at least went through the motions of hustling.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Since he stopped working from a knee (injury), he's been like Lerch behind the plate. Just awful. And that's a shame, because he used to be one of the best.

But you can't fire these guys, and no one has the balls to tell him he can't work any more, I guess. Pity.

And, honestly Kyle, the comparison with Lurch is a little unfair. Lurch regularly showed more quickness and interest than McClelland. Nice try.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Is anyone else sick and tired of watching Tim McLelland mail it in? Can't he step aside and allow someone who isn't bored with umpiring have a shot? It doesn't even matter anymore. He kicks calls and strolls around like the game's an annoyance to him.

Kevin,

Nope. I have not experienced any symptoms of either illness or fatigue due to watching Tim McLelland umpire a baseball game.

Thank you for your concern.

JM

[Kevin Finnerty]

:d

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Kevin,

Nope. I have not experienced any symptoms of either illness or fatigue due to watching Tim McLelland umpire a baseball game.

Thank you for your concern.

JM

Post of the Month nominee!