Bud Selig Meets with Ken Hawk Harrelson over Umpire Rant

[UMP25]

Well, from what the MLB Network said after this on air rant, MLB couldn't do anything to him solely because he "doesn't fall under the control of MLB or the Chicago White Sox."

But as I said, this doesn't mean Reinsdorf can't pressure Comcast to do something if he wanted.

[JRutledge]

I am sure if Reinsdorf said tomorrow, "I do not like Hawks continuous behavior about umpires and how he represents the White Sox Organization," I bet something would be done yesterday. Not because Reinsdorf can directly fire him, but because that if Comcast has a contact with the White Sox and probably does not want to lose that coverage they currently have. And considering who these commentators are and how they have close ties to the organization, I am sure these things are done all the time across the league and other leagues with similar local coverage contracts. Now I doubt Reinsdorf wants him gone or that Hawk is going anywhere soon, but rants like this might force his hand to get involved and I do not see Comcast putting up much of a fight as they have other things to lose over someone so unprofessional. He turned off a lot of people regardless of their affiliation with being an umpire.

Peace

[UMP25]

The fact that Reinsdorf sought a meeting with Harrelson to discuss the incident tells me Jerry isn't planning on doing anything more. Jerry has a knack of being too loyal to former Sox personnel and players, which is why he keeps so many of the has-beens around. This has been one of the biggest criticisms of Reinsdorf over the years.

[JRutledge]

That is why I said I do not think much more will be done. Not unless Comcast wants to make a change and that is possible, but unlikely at this time.

Peace

[UMP25]

I never thought anything would be done in the first place, at least by Jerry.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That is why I said I do not think much more will be done. Not unless Comcast wants to make a change and that is possible, but unlikely at this time.

Peace

What about WGNA?

[UMP25]

They don't control his contract/employment; Comcast does.

[LeeBallanfant]

For those of you with selective memory, what Harrelson did was tame compared to Marty Brennaman's rant against Dave Pallone in 1988.

Brennaman's punishment: The Ford Frick Award in 2000

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

What about WGNA?

Actually WGN just shows games not to usually conflict with when Cubs games are being played at the same or similar time (not sure who gets priority). I believe that the White Sox Network is ultimately controlled by the people at Comcast as most of the games are shown there.

Peace

[LeeBallanfant]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Well, from what the MLB Network said after this on air rant, MLB couldn't do anything to him solely because he "doesn't fall under the control of MLB or the Chicago White Sox."

But as I said, this doesn't mean Reinsdorf can't pressure Comcast to do something if he wanted.

To me its simple here. Comcast presumably offered the most money to do the White Sox games and they control the announcers. If Comcast thought Hawk was adversely affecting their ratings, they would let him go. Reinsdorf and Selig might talk to him about the "good of the game" but ultimately its Comcast's decision.