2013 MLB Regular Season running thread

Fewer 'roids, no greenies. Bats are afraid tired.

 

The bloom is officially off the rose for Jonathan Papelbon:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/28/following-teams-8th-consecutive-loss-jonathan-papelbon-says-he-definitely-didnt-come-here-for-this/

 

Between talking to Cabrera and the umps, here's what happened:

1) Fairchild calls a high pitch a strike. Catcher tries to frame it, but the pitch was a strike according to Pitch f/x. Cabrera says he asked where it was. Fairchild said that Cabrera argued the call and he warned him to stop.

2) Fairchild calls a high pitch a strike. Catcher tries to frame it, but the pitch was a strike according to Pitch f/x. Replay shows and Cabrera confirms that he said "That's f**ing horrible." Fairchild says he then ejects him for continuing to argue balls and strikes after a warning.

3) When asked how often he warns players and then has to eject them on the next pitch, Fairchild says he doesn't understand the question. It is reframed as "You call a lot of games behind the plate, and you don't throw out batters every time. Is it unusual for a batter to do what Cabrera did and continue to argue directly after being warned?" Fairchild answers that every situation is different.

4) Crew chief Jeff Kellogg said that he wouldn't comment on whether Leyland brought up the Putkonen incident when he was arguing, but that it would be in his report. He also says that he doesn't have any concern with the fact that his crew has had two major incidents with Leyland and the Tigers in 17 days.

 

Then he's an idiot.

 

At this point, as long as no one's suspended, I don't care. I mean, the odds they see Fairchild again are low. Lots of umps out there.

But considering Tim Timmons lets Ortiz bitch for like five pitches at OPACY Saturday, then openly confront him and didn't toss him until he keeps going in the dugout, it's just lame. Looking on the bright side, Angel Hernandez probably would have tossed him while the second pitch was in the air.

 

So how would you suggest the umpire handling a player saying, "You are fucking horrible"?

It doesn't matter the timing of the statement or the level of the player, that's automatic.

As for his situation handling, I think it was fantastic. Sometimes the shit just finds you and you have to react appropriately. Fairchild got the pitches correct and reacted appropriately.

 

I highly doubt that was the first time he's ever been F-bombed, and I believe the post above indicated Cabrera said the call was "f****ing horrible," not him personally. Semantics, sure, but I stand by my assertion that one curse word is too much of a hair trigger to throw someone out in the middle of an at-bat with the bases loaded. This is not high school.

 

A player calling a ball/strike pitch judgement "horrible" should never be surprised about getting tossed, warning or no warning.

A player calling an ump "horrible" should be amazed if he is not thrown out instantly.

 

If he used the "you" that's almost automatic. But according to reports that's not what was said.

Fairchild appears to be cut from the same cloth as Angel Hernandez.

And if an umpire can't handle hearing the word "fuck" or "fucking", he needs to start working on his real estate license.

 

Photo of The Astrodome under construction, via Michael Beschloss on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/BeschlossDC/status/361688400190898176/photo/1

 

Beschloss almost deserves a running thread. He posts some fantastic stuff.

 

Agreed. I only wish I could figure out how to embed Twitter pics directly onto SJ threads. (Is it possible?)