No position in baseball is more contentious than that of the umpire. Whether it’s the strike zones or those high-pressure calls, umpires seem to be perpetually under the microscope.
Moments that Define Careers
Consider umpire Ángel Hernández, who has been a lightning rod for criticism. Speaking about his career, Hernández shared, Starting with my first major league game in 1991, I have had the very good experience of living out my childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues. There is nothing better than working at a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities.
Controversies and Legal Battles
This week, MLB experienced another blow as Hernández lost a racial discrimination lawsuit for the second time when a federal appeals court refused to reinstate his case. In 2017, he sued MLB alleging discrimination due to not being assigned to the World Series since 2005 and claiming he was passed over for crew chief despite serving as an interim crew chief from 2011-16.
Handling Pressure Under Scrutiny
The role of an umpire extends beyond making calls. They face disgruntled managers, irate players, and fuming fans on a regular basis. As enthusiasts push for instant replay due to inconsistencies in calls, it’s clear that umpires are engulfed in their ever-mysterious strike zones.
Former umpire Al Forman once said he received birthday cards from fans that wished it was his last birthday. Reflecting fan sentiment further, Al Clark noted, I refuse to call a 52-year-old man, Sparky.
A Season Marred with Mistakes
This season has added fuel to the fire. Fans have been vocal about poor umpiring. A critic voiced, What we want, most of all, from umpires, is for them to get the calls right. But too often this year, that has not been the case. The most glaring issues come with balls and strikes, primarily because those calls can’t be reviewed. But time and time again, we’re seeing blatant errors on pitches.
Follow Us
