Editorials

Dodgers: MLB Umpires Association Tweets, Former Dodger Responds

The Major League Baseball Umpires Association has taken the gloves off, er, face masks off. They were apparently none too pleased about Manny Machado’s meager 1 game suspension. Here is the mess of a tweet sent out by MLB Umpires Association.

The screenshot within the Tweet reads:

Manny Machado received a one game suspension for contact with an umpire over balls and strikes and VIOLENTLY throwing his bat against the backstop with absolutely no regard to anyone’s safety. Violence in the workplace is not tolerated, and offenders are dealt with severely and even made examples of for the good of it’s employees, as well as the company itself. Is this truly what MLB wants to teach our youth?

The honestly embarrassing hashtags included a bevy of unprofessional remarks including “temper tantrum,” “make an example of,” and “repeat offender.”

The Chips Have Fallen

If you got through that messy tweet, along with the laundry list of hashtags, you’ll notice this is new. The Umpires have a massive union that typically does their lobbying for them. How else does Angel Hernandez still keep getting playoff assignments, you ask? That’s how. Them tweeting their displeasure with Manny Machado’s one game suspension is the gasoline that could start a large fire. The main reason for this potential issue, was eloquently described by former Dodger and friend, Alex Wood.

Bad Precedents

Alex has a brilliant point. There are social media rules on the players for a reason. Baseball fans already take to social media to complain about the umpires as if it’s their job. If the players were allowed to do this, it could spark anarchy. It ultimately creates an absurd double standard

Aside from the double standard, let’s talk professionalism. In the many comments that ratio’d this tweet, many people pointed out that if this were a different player and not Manny Machado, there wouldn’t be this kind of vitriol about the suspension. Whether or not that is true or whether or not you agree, it certainly adds to the truth that this tweet was in poor taste.

Another Reason For This Tweet?

The conversation of robotic umpiring has never been louder than it is here in 2019. The technology has improved in the statcast era, and robotic umpires are now a plausible concept. The MLB Umpire’s Association knows this. The complaints about poor umpiring have never been louder. Between Ron Kulpa’s rant to Astros manager AJ Hinch, how poorly the strike zones have been managed this year, or basically anytime Angel Hernandez/CB Bucknor are working, the umpires have never been complained about more. They’re keenly aware of this, and have chosen to double down.

Does This Potentially Effect The Dodgers?

Manny Machado is obviously no longer a Dodger. The Dodgers current roster doesn’t really have too many players that frequently squabble with the umpires. Justin Turner complains the most, but typically in a reserved fashion. Should the poor umpiring continue though, the umpires taking to social media to air their grievances could lead to other players or teams choosing to take to social media.

AJ Gonzalez

AJ is a lifelong Dodgers and Lakers fan who grew up in California. His whole family is also lifelong Dodgers fans. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, two kids, his guitars, and beagle Kobe.

11 Comments

  1. Look there are good points about the umpires associations unnecessarily tweeting Manny’s one game suspension. However they do have a great point or argument, Manny should have gotten way more time. There is no place for these young men to be acting like little kids. It’s part of the game, yes its frustrating (the bad calls) but there are other ways to show your frustration. These guys should grow up and people shouldn’t be covering for them.

    1. Did you see the video? Manny never contacted the ump, if he did it was by a single thread. He did throw his bat and slam his helmet and that warrants a couple games, but a lot more? No! 2 or 3 I could see for the temper tantrum.

  2. I agree. I watch at least 3 or4 games a week. The umpires have gotten worse since they have gone to one side or the other. It is not an easy job and the way catchers frame the ball when they are on the other side they can’t possibly tell. They need to go back directly behind the catcher. There are umps that are terrible and the union should not protect them. Maybe send them back to the minors for rehab? If the players can’t complain on social media either should the umps.

  3. Given Machado’s past and present, he is very dangerous. With his violent temper and disregard for other players’ safety, I think he might kill someone.
    He belongs in LA.

    1. I have to ask, are you living under a rock?…………..he’s not in LA anymore.

      We Dodger fans wish he was though, Seager got hurt again…………..we could use Manny right now.

  4. Good umpiring and bad umpiring has been going on for over a hundred years. I have said as long as it’s consistent with both teams it’s fine with me. No one is perfect. But I will admit there have been some games that looked like the umpire/umpires were one-sided. I watch many other games of baseball, not just 1 particular team. I know there have been times where it seems the umps are doing a terrible job and that’s one reason the used replay. I have asked before in different places, do the umpires review the game they umpired and try to correct any problems they see? If they don’t, they should and it should be strictly enforced it. I can just imagine if certain machines start taking over the game, no doubt a player will probably go kick the machine for a bad so-called call. That (machines) would take some of the fun out of the game. Oh, and i do believe Machado deserved what he got, lucky he didn’t get more time off.

  5. I’ve never witnessed anyone complain about balls and strikes classier than JT. If he doesn’t like a call he gives the umpire this “Godfather style” whisper, without making eye contact. It’s great! Lol

  6. Manny wigged out and the call they made did not warrant his reaction. Remember though, we could not hear what was said after the call was made. You have to be able to understand both sides of the altercation. He should have been suspended three to five games.to make the behavioral point to him. Then lessened somewhat if the umpire egged him on verbally. The umpires are correct to complain. Posting it on social media? They should not be allowed to do that. Maybe Joe Torre and MLB need to create an appeal vehicle for umpires to appeal player suspension rulings just like the players have. JMO…………

  7. The umpires should review their strike zones via video between innings so they can see if they are off and make adjustments. I’m sure this is very possible.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button