04/25/24
May 31, 2012
Catcher Russell Martin: Ump Denied Me Balls: New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin said that home plate umpire Laz Diaz punished him Wednesday for arguing balls and strikes by refusing to let him throw new balls to the pitcher after fouls. "He said that it was a privilege that I had to earn, for me to throw the ball back," Martin said. "Because we kind of got into it with balls and strikes or whatever. ... Even at the end of the game, after I got hit in the neck, I'm like, 'Can I throw the ball back now?' He's still like, 'No.'"
Diaz is on my "Don't Even Bother to Get Mad, It's [Umpire X]" list. Where's Monty Burns and his union busters when you need them?
posted by yerfatma at 01:43 PM on May 31, 2012
If Diaz, indeed, said throwing new balls to the pitcher was "a privilege" that Martin had to earn, then this guy needs to be fired ... how about checking egos at the dugout?
BTW, nice headline ... made me question, for a few seconds, if I should open it.
posted by jjzucal at 02:24 PM on May 31, 2012
I didn't read that as saying that the ump wouldn't give him the new balls; I read it as saying that when a new ball came out, Diaz would throw it to the pitcher rather than handing it to Martin to do so.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:28 PM on May 31, 2012
how about checking egos at the dugout?
Chest protector? Check. Face mask? Check. Giant inflatable ego? Check.
posted by tron7 at 02:38 PM on May 31, 2012
Tahoemoj, I think I misread the article. I assumed the ump wouldn't even give Martin the balls but now, I believe you are correct. Either way, what a chump move... does the ump get some thrill from throwing the ball to the pitcher??
posted by 67nickel at 02:54 PM on May 31, 2012
I didn't read that as saying that the ump wouldn't give him the new balls; I read it as saying that when a new ball came out, Diaz would throw it to the pitcher rather than handing it to Martin to do so.
That's somehow better? What a tool.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:44 PM on May 31, 2012
Chest protector? Check. Face mask? Check. Giant inflatable ego? Check.
You forgot cup. Miss this item and new balls might become a necessity.
does the ump get some thrill from throwing the ball to the pitcher??
Some do, but I much prefer to have the catcher do it. A hard protector somewhat inhibits my throwing motion, and there's nothing more embarrassing than missing the pitcher by 3 feet or so.
By the way, I agree that Laz Diaz is one of the more insufferable umpires in the game.
posted by Howard_T at 03:44 PM on May 31, 2012
Don't know the umps rep, but Martin conducts himself in a way that precludes any form of respect.
posted by cixelsyd at 04:47 PM on May 31, 2012
I agree, but we should expect better from any umpire, if this is what occurred. Some already are lost causes (see West, Joseph).
posted by jjzucal at 06:33 PM on May 31, 2012
I always thought a scuffed ball was an advantage for the pitcher (but maybe since these guys get new balls all of the time they no longer know how to use a "blemish" correctly).