-=> Alan Hess took a called strike three for saying to Paige Miller <=- 
 AH> Whilst masticating on , Paige Miller (1:2613/313)
 AH> wrote to Alan Hess:
 
 AH>> Richie "Loudmouth" Phillips had another press conference before 
 AH>> the game, in which he spouted his usual rhetoric about the 
 AH>> integrity of the umpires and the respect they deserve.  Then, 
 AH>> Barnett and Garcia go out and demonstrate exactly why the umpires 
 AH>> have no integrity, and don't deserve respect.  Fire them all! 
 
 PM> You confuse split-second judgment with integrity. I think the two 
 AH> I'm not talking about Garcia's blown calls.  He flat-out screwed up by
 AH> watching the outfielder rather than the ball and stands, and there was
 AH> NO way the home run call would be reversed in Yankee Stadium in front
 AH> of those fans. Umpires have survival instincts like everyone else. 
 AH> However, it is difficult to respect someone who has the most simple
 AH> umpiring assignment in baseball (call balls fair or foul, and watch for
 AH> fan interference), and completely botches it.  Then, after seeing how
 AH> badly he blew the call, he still tries to cover his butt by claiming
 AH> Tarasco wouldn't have caught the ball, even though he was standing
 AH> flat-footed ready to catch it.  It wasn't even a difficult play.
 PM> are far removed from one another and screwing up at one does not 
 PM> imply anything about the other. Split-second judgment leads to 
 PM> occasional errors with absolutely no implication about integrity. 
So you've never made a mistake on a simple task? How would you like it if
your boss came in and said "Hess, you're suspended for two weeks"? People
make mistakes. Umpires are people, and you are NEVER going to eliminate
mistakes. And in fact, in my experience with human nature, punishing
someone for a mistake won't prevent the next mistake from happening. 
I'd be in favor of grading umpires and taking some action, based upon an
entire season, not based upon one call. If it was based on one call,
you'd have to take action against every umpire, and that isn't
appropriate. The action could be demotion to the minors, firing, or some
sort of remedial action. How do you feel about this? Right now,
unfortunately, you sound like an Oriole fan who is bitter about one call.
the minors, 
... Not tonight, dear.  I have a modem.
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