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Think again

Big league umpires should reconsider resignations

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Posted: Wednesday July 21, 1999 11:46 PM

Some major league umpires are apparently having second thoughts about their decision to resign Sept. 2. That doesn't surprise me.

I think a lot of umps should be reconsidering their position on the whole matter.

Stepping down might be fine for some of the older umpires who are nearing retirement. But the younger umps are cutting their own throats if they resign.

Baseball's front office seems to have no problem with letting them walk and permanently replacing them with minor league or college umpires.

There's no question that umpires feel like they're being pushed around and aren't getting the respect they deserve. And some umps have responded by becoming more confrontational. The Tom Hallion episode was an obvious example.

However, the umpires are not going to get that respect back -- or get sympathy from the fans -- by threatening to leave the game. That's only pouring more gas on the fire.

Counting on Denny

The Cincinnati Reds are looking for another starter to take some pressure off their bullpen, which has thrown the second-most innings in the National League.

Their hunt won't begin with trades. Instead, it will start in Indianapolis this weekend. That's where Denny Neagle is heading for a few rehab starts.

As Reds general manager Jim Bowden put it, "Getting him back would be the same as adding a player from a trade, but we wouldn't lose a player."

Deadline dealing a double-edged sword

Texas also needs help for its starting rotation, which has the worst ERA in the American League. However, the Rangers know that making moves at the July 31 trade deadline can be a double-edged sword.

Just last season, Texas got Todd Stottlemyre from St. Louis and Esteban Loaiza from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline. But it had to give up third baseman Fernando Tatis and second baseman Warren Morris in the process, and both players are now thriving elsewhere.

Rangers general manager Doug Melvin says he feels obligated to make trades if his team has a chance to win. But he doesn't sound too excited about this year's available starters.

"You trade a good young player and assume a huge contract," Melvin said. "That's the problem with most of those pitchers."

 

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