Whilst masticating on , Paige Miller (1:2613/313)
wrote to Alan Hess:
PM> So you've never made a mistake on a simple task? How would you like it if 
PM> your boss came in and said "Hess, you're suspended for two weeks"? People 
PM> make mistakes. Umpires are people, and you are NEVER going to eliminate 
True, mistakes will not be eliminated.  Roberto Alomar made a (big) mistake - 
are you saying he shouldn't be punished for it?  If you're not saying that, 
then why shouldn't umpires who make major mistakes also be punished by 
suspension and/or fine?
PM> mistakes. And in fact, in my experience with human nature, punishing 
PM> someone for a mistake won't prevent the next mistake from happening. 
Do you approve of people screwing up their jobs, then signing autographs for 
some of the people who benefitted from the messup?  Garcia did that.  
PM> I'd be in favor of grading umpires and taking some action, based upon an 
PM> entire season, not based upon one call. If it was based on one call, 
you'd 
PM> have to take action against every umpire, and that isn't appropriate. The 
PM> action could be demotion to the minors, firing, or some sort of remedial 
PM> action. How do you feel about this? Right now, unfortunately, you sound 
There has to be some type of grading for umpires.  Right now, umpires are the 
only on-field personnel who have no fear of being demoted or released, no 
matter how inept they are.
PM> like an Oriole fan who is bitter about one call.
I'm not bitter.  It was a terrible call, and an important game shouldn't be 
influenced by such a boner, but the Orioles had beaten themselves long before 
the eighth inning.  The Orioles should have had a much larger lead, which 
would have rendered that call basically meaningless.  Instead, it turned a 
lead into a late tie, which is a big deal.  *adh*
--- MsgedSQ/2 3.35
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