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Thursday, April 30, 2009

MLB: Baltimore’s Walker fined for comments

The Walker, baseball umpire lever.

Major League Baseball has fined pitcher Jamie Walker of the Baltimore Orioles for his remarks regarding Umpire Angel Hernandez following Baltimore’s game vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night at Camden Yards. The amount of the fine is undisclosed. Bob Watson, Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

Watson said: “Mr. Walker’s comments were an inappropriate, unnecessary attack on Umpire Hernandez’s professionalism. Such comments impugning the integrity and impartiality of Angel Hernandez or any other member of the umpiring staff will not be tolerated.”

Repoz Posted: April 30, 2009 at 08:23 PM | 63 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: orioles

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1. akrasian Posted: April 30, 2009 at 08:36 PM (#3159401)

I didn't hear his comments, but anything attacking Angel Hernandez's professionalism or competency is A-OK with me. He has to be on the short list of least competent MLB umpires.

2. Snowboy Posted: April 30, 2009 at 08:40 PM (#3159407)

My thoughts exactly. For years now.

3. robinred

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM (#3159414)

Wlaker never says this about him if he were named Oriole Hernandez.

4. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:03 PM (#3159456)

That balk call was truly awful. Hernandez is a terrible, terrible ump.

5. Sam Hutcheson is the Rickey Henderson of... Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:08 PM (#3159467)

It's a (terrible) call. I don't know if the guy's got something against me or what, but no way did I balk. It changed the whole game. ... It's unacceptable at this level.

6. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:13 PM (#3159472)

If Walker asks nicely he can probably get Bobby Cox to pay the fine.

7. UCCF Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:19 PM (#3159481)

He has to be on the short list of least competent MLB umpires.

This list starts and ends with Cowboy Joe West.

8. phredbird

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:19 PM (#3159482)

is he worse than joe west? if so, that's pretty bad.

9. phredbird

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:19 PM (#3159484)

eamus i owe you a coke, i guess.

10. Curse of the Andino Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:23 PM (#3159489)

He actually said something like

"I don't if [Hernandez] has money on the game or what."

11. JMPH Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:26 PM (#3159491)

"I don't if [Hernandez] has money on the game or what."

Yeah, I can see how MLB might want to shut someone up if he's saying stuff like that. After the NBA mess, it's not a thought you even want entering fans' heads.

12. SteveF Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:27 PM (#3159493)

He can just recoup the fine by betting against himself the next time he pitches.

13. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:28 PM (#3159496)

The list is pretty much Joe West, Angel Hernandez, C.B. Buckner. Say whatever you want about those guys.

14. cardsfanboy

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:28 PM (#3159497)

I didn't hear his comments, but anything attacking Angel Hernandez's professionalism or competency is A-OK with me. He has to be on the short list of least competent MLB umpires

Mike Shannon and Al Hrabosky don't ever avoid a chance to bad mouth Angel Hernandez. Angel Hernandez is probably one of the three worse Umps in the game, and I can't think of the other two(Tim McClelland is one I guess.)

15. FBI Regional Bureau Chief GORDON COLE!!! Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:41 PM (#3159510)

Well, they say don't attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple incompetence. Hernandez can rely on the incompetence explanation in droves. (So if the fine was strictly for accusing Hernandez of bias, I can see Watson's point..."Despite being a sucktastically incompetent umpire the likes of which our game's seldom seen, Angel Hernandez's ability to spread his incompetence around to equally benefit/harm every team is beyond reproach.")

16. RJ in TO Posted: April 30, 2009 at 09:41 PM (#3159512)

Is Phil Cuzzi still in the league? If so, I'd like to nominate that tremendous #######.

Also, as a Jays fan, I am obligated to mention the name of "Joe Brinkman."

17. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:02 PM (#3159528)

Angel Hernandez is probably one of the three worse Umps in the game, and I can't think of the other two(Tim McClelland is one I guess.)

I though McClelland was one of the better umpires in the league. Doug Eddings gets my vote as one of the worst.

Does anyone know who the best umpires are?

18. Justin 'The Cespedobear' T Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:03 PM (#3159530)

He hasn't been around long, but remember the name Rob Drake. He is the ####### who tossed Piniella last season as he heeded the warning of the 1st base ump and returned to his dugout. And then I happened to be sitting down the third base line at a game where he was stationed there. He truly is an #######, and not nearly a good enough ump to make up for it.

19. Adam M

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:08 PM (#3159532)

Any ump whose name fans remember is probably a bad ump. This is doubly true if the ump has a nickname, and quadruply true if the ump's nickname is "Cowboy".

20. cardsfanboy

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:10 PM (#3159534)

I though McClelland was one of the better umpires in the league

I did too, I may have the name mis-remembered. it's the guy who when he is at home plate takes a day or two to signal a call. Agreed about West though.

I just love the fact that any game which has Angel Hernandez behind the plate, there is no sugarcoating from the announcers about how bad he is. And even TLR who tries to be as political as possible when it comes to discussing these type of things has very little restraint in criticizing Angel Hernandez. The guy is truly bad at his job.

21. flournoy Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM (#3159537)

I nominate Doug Eddings for the worst list.

22. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:42 PM (#3159550)

The AP is completely missing the important part of the quotation.

MLB:
I don't know if he had money betting on the game or what, but that's a [terrible] call," Walker had said of Hernandez following the game. "I don't know if the guy has something against me or what, but no way ... did I balk. It changed the whole ... game. I may get screwed in the long run, but that's just unacceptable."

Schmuck:
"No way in hell did I balk on that pitch,'' he said. "That was a horse----- call. I don't know if the guy has a problem with me or what, but it was a (expletive) call...I don't know if he had money betting on the game, but that was a (expletive) call."
AP:
"It's a (terrible) call," Walker said. "I don't know if the guy's got something against me or what, but no way did I balk. It changed the whole game. ... It's unacceptable at this level."

23. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:44 PM (#3159551)

my favorite part of this situation is the online photos of Trembley balling his fists and standing on his toes while reaming Hernandez out.

Losing Walker for a few games is an added bonus.

edit: crap, no suspension, just a fine.

24. scareduck Posted: April 30, 2009 at 10:50 PM (#3159556)

Seconded on Eddings.

25. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: April 30, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3159580)

Eddings is behind the plate for the Angels-Yankees game tonight. Terry Smith announced him as "our old friend", to which Rex Hudler groaned and then immediately complained about a call.

Doug Eddings is disliked by everyone.

26. pthomas Posted: April 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM (#3159598)

Well...the thing is...Walker did balk.

27. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: April 30, 2009 at 11:44 PM (#3159599)

I was actually worried about Trembley during that argument. He looked like he was going to have a stroke.

28. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: April 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM (#3159600)

Well...the thing is...Walker did balk.

It wasn't even close to being a balk.

29. Leroy Kincaid Posted: April 30, 2009 at 11:59 PM (#3159613)

Angel Hernandez is the Mets fans' favorite scapegoat. Next to David Wright.

30. We don't have dahlians at the Palace of Wisdom Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:10 AM (#3159633)

Having only seen the replay from the article, he clearly stepped towards home.

If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when --...
(c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
Rule 8.05(c) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

Your homer announcer seems to think that the only requirement for a balk is the foot going past the rubber.

31. Crispix Attacks Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:12 AM (#3159639)

People hated by Mets fans

1. Steve Phillips
2. Steve Phillips
3. Steve Phillips
4. Mo Vaughn
5. Jimmy Rollins
6. Angel Hernandez
7. Lastings Milledge
8. Steve Phillips
9. Steve Phillips
10. David Wright

32. Greg (U)K Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:27 AM (#3159670)

Shouldn't 10A be that Beltran loafer?

33. Tricky Dick Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:27 AM (#3159671)

Any ump whose name fans remember is probably a bad ump.

I agree with that. And it seems like I hear more fans mention his name (as in "I hope Angel Hernandez isn't umpiring tonight") than any other umpire.

34. Jim Wisinski

Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:27 AM (#3159672)

I did too, I may have the name mis-remembered. it's the guy who when he is at home plate takes a day or two to signal a call.

That's not McClelland, McClelland has the very subdued strike signal that's nearly impossible to see if you're sitting behind the plate, he just brings his fist up and towards his chest.

Eddings is horrid, unless you're A.J. Pierzynski (or a White Sox fan). Brinkman has had some pretty horrid calls as well, I remember one absolute farce of a checked swing call against the Rays that got a couple people ejected. I believe that was the game with the rather unusual result of Geremi Gonzalez getting ejected yet still throwing a complete game.

35. Crispix Attacks Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:29 AM (#3159677)

I believe that was the game with the rather unusual result of Geremi Gonzalez getting ejected yet still throwing a complete game.

Why, that's even rarer than being struck by lightning!

36. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:37 AM (#3159695)

Having only seen the replay from the article, he clearly stepped towards home.

Are we watching the same clip? He stepped towards first.

37. RJ in TO Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:03 AM (#3159757)

Brinkman has had some pretty horrid calls as well, I remember one absolute farce of a checked swing call against the Rays that got a couple people ejected. I believe that was the game with the rather unusual result of Geremi Gonzalez getting ejected yet still throwing a complete game.

Brinkman was the one who was so bad that Ernie Whitt felt the need to call him on it, in writing, in his autobiography, while he was still an active player.

That's some quality hatred.

38. depletion Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:03 AM (#3159759)

I am not familiar with the competancy of Angel Hernandez; I suppose someone has to be the worst. But the "money betting on the game" part of Walker's comment really warrants a stiff fine.

Regarding #31. No Roger Clemens or Kenny Rogers? I go back far enough that Pete Rose is on my list.

39. Los Angeles Waterloo of Black Hawk Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:11 AM (#3159775)

He balks. I didn't see it at first, but he did. He moves the wrong knee first. I was completely shocked when I saw the replay that verified that Angel Hernandez go ta call right.

If there were a game with Hernandez, West, Eddings, and, well, anyone else umpiring all at once, I don't think we would be legally allowed to call it baseball.

40. RJ in TO Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:12 AM (#3159778)

Regarding #31. No Roger Clemens or Kenny Rogers? I go back far enough that Pete Rose is on my list.

I would have also guessed that Rick Peterson would have made an appearance, if only for his "I can fix Zambrano in 10 minutes" idiocy.

41. The Keith Law Blog Blah Blah (battlekow) Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:15 AM (#3159783)

Why, that's even rarer than being struck by lightning!

The guy died. Come on.

42. SouthSideRyan Posted: May 01, 2009 at 02:02 AM (#3159870)

If there were a game with Hernandez, West, Eddings, and, well, anyone else umpiring all at once, I don't think we would be legally allowed to call it baseball.

Bucknor's the 4th.

43. Frenchy's Disapppearing VORP Posted: May 01, 2009 at 02:39 AM (#3159975)

Can Bob Watson fine us for comments on this thread?

44. Lassus Posted: May 01, 2009 at 02:42 AM (#3159984)

People hated by (this) Mets fan

1. Kenny Rogers
2. Kenny Rogers
3. Kenny Rogers
4. Steve Phillips
5. Kenny Rogers
6. Kenny Rogers
7. Kenny Rogers
8. Roger Clemens
9. Steve Phillips
10. Kenny Rogers
11. Kenny Rogers
12. Kenny Rogers
13. Kenny Rogers
14. Kenny Rogers
15. Gary Cohen
37. Kenny Rogers
57. Roger Cedeno
72. Kenny Rogers
89. Chipper Jones
91. Kenny Rogers
100. Steve Phillips
345. Kenny Rogers
346. Angel Hernandez
762. Kenny Rogers
999. Kenny Rogers

45. DKDC Posted: May 01, 2009 at 02:54 AM (#3160004)

I don't see a balk on the replay, it looks like Walker stepped straight towards first base. Even if he did step towards home, how would the home plate umpire be able to see that?

Hernandez still has nothing on Bucknor in the annals of shitty umpires. I'm much more willing to forgive occasional bad judgment calls than a consistently inconsistent strike zone.

I'm surprised Walker didn't get suspended, given his comments on betting.

46. FBI Regional Bureau Chief GORDON COLE!!! Posted: May 01, 2009 at 04:19 AM (#3160068)

That's not McClelland, McClelland has the very subdued strike signal that's nearly impossible to see if you're sitting behind the plate, he just brings his fist up and towards his chest.

No, I think that is McClelland. His signal is subdued, but he's also very slow in making it. It's a little disconcerting when watching in person (though he generally gets the call right, which is more than can be said for most umps' strike zones).

47. FBI Regional Bureau Chief GORDON COLE!!! Posted: May 01, 2009 at 04:20 AM (#3160069)

Remember Steve McMichael trashing Hernandez over the PA in the 7th inning stretch a few years ago, just after Hernandez blew a call on a play at the plate? That was great.

48. bond1 Posted: May 01, 2009 at 04:22 AM (#3160072)

anyone got a clip or a link to a clip of the balk?

49. SouthSideRyan Posted: May 01, 2009 at 04:31 AM (#3160074)

And then Hernandez threw McMichael out of the park. Pretty sure that was the Rockies game where Gutierrez fell down rounding 3rd, wound up with 3 simultaneous run downs and Gutierrez wound up scoring to win.

50. The Keith Law Blog Blah Blah (battlekow) Posted: May 01, 2009 at 05:10 AM (#3160088)

anyone got a clip or a link to a clip of the balk?

Video link

51. Petuniaviles Posted: May 01, 2009 at 07:42 AM (#3160149)

Didn't I just hear about Angel Hernandez running Eddie Guardado out of a game in the last day or two? I hadn't even heard about this Jamie Walker business.

52. Danny Posted: May 01, 2009 at 08:12 AM (#3160151)

Angel Campos tossed Guardado on Thursday, though Steady Eddie had already been pulled by his manager.

53. Petuniaviles Posted: May 01, 2009 at 08:52 AM (#3160159)

That explains it, thanks. These Angels must be spreading.

54. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: May 01, 2009 at 09:25 AM (#3160161)

That explains it, thanks. These Angels must be spreading.

There's probably a topical cream for that.

55. Big Train Posted: May 01, 2009 at 11:26 AM (#3160174)

I hate that call, but you can't go around suggesting the umpires are on the take. There is no proof of it, and it is basically undermining the credibility of all umpires. It is not to be taken lightly.

He should have said something like, "I guess he didn't accept my apology for ####### his wife..."

it would have been funnier and got the point across just the same.

56. Leroy Kincaid Posted: May 01, 2009 at 11:42 AM (#3160177)

15. Gary Cohen

That's refreshing, especially coming from a Mets fan.

57. Swedish Chef Posted: May 01, 2009 at 11:52 AM (#3160181)

Looks like Jim Duquette could start planning a comeback with the Mets.

58. bunyon Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:16 PM (#3160184)

sj, that would have rocked. Plus it would put Angel on the defensive. Any bad call against Walker ever again and you'd have people screaming that it was personal.

As for the "balk", I don't see it. Perhaps a leg twitches, but I didn't see it. I do know that if that was a balk then 99% of what left handers do with a guy on first is also a balk. 100% for Petitte.

59. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:53 PM (#3160200)

He moves the wrong knee first.

What clip are you watching? I don't see that at all.

60. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: May 01, 2009 at 12:59 PM (#3160201)

I've watched the clip a couple of times now and I don't see the balk. Angel Hernandez was behind the plate when he called it, so maybe it looked different from that angle.

61. Big Train Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:22 PM (#3160209)

I don't see the balk at all (the back knee twitching) and if we dont see if from that angle, I dont know how hernandez were to see it. That said, whatevers, I fully support the fine. Fully.

you just can't say that.

62. Lassus Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:50 PM (#3160226)

Well, I watched the clip, and I can see pretty easily how it looks like a balk, especially from the angle at home. Jerking the front knee like a Irish step-dancer doesn't really promote the idea that that he was stepping towards home at all, to my eyes.

That being said, the balk is the worst-defined call in baseball history, so I can also see how it people would say that clip isn't particularly clear.

Angel Hernandez is also a complete jerk, so that doesn't help him.

63. Banta Posted: May 01, 2009 at 01:56 PM (#3160230)

15. Gary Cohen

That's refreshing, especially coming from a Mets fan.

I think most of us Mets gamechatterers have grown to hate Cohen.

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MLB: Baltimore’s Walker fined for comments

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