CHW 4, MIN 3: Donaldson Ejection Steals the Show, White Sox Take Series

[Otto von Ballpark]

And we're only 1 game ahead of the Yankees. What's the tiebreaker for home field?

Good question! I think first tiebreaker is head to head, which obviously does not apply this year outside the division. Next is record within your division. Twins are 21-17 with 2 games left with Detroit; Yankees are 20–13 with 3 games left vs Boston and 4 vs Toronto.

 

If they finish tied in division record too, then the tiebreaker is last 20 division games record, and stepping up by 1 (last 21, 22, etc.) until the tie is resolved.

 

Edit to add: on that latter tiebreaker, note the Twins are 10-8 in their last 18 division games with those 2 remaining vs Detroit. Yankees are 8-5 in their last 13 with 7 remaining.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If we lose out can Cleveland catch us?

We are 4 games up on Cleveland in the win column, and we have the tiebreaker so that's effectively 5 wins up.

 

Cleveland also has 4 with the White Sox next week among their 10 games remaining. If they sweep DET and PIT, and split vs CHW, that's 8-2. The Twins would need to go 3-5 in that scenario to drop to third place.

[Dantes929]

 

We are 4 games up on Cleveland in the win column, and we have the tiebreaker so that's effectively 5 wins up.

 

Cleveland also has 4 with the White Sox next week among their 10 games remaining. If they sweep DET and PIT, and split vs CHW, that's 8-2. The Twins would need to go 3-5 in that scenario to drop to third place.

I'm hoping they get swept by DET and PIT and then sweep CHW.

 

[PopRiveter]

I find Donaldson very difficult to root for. His strikes me as the selfish, overly-competitive personality that lead some players to a post-career series of domestic disturbances. I don’t want my daughter to end up with a Josh Donaldson type.

Funny thing is, my own reaction sheds light on how much I can spin a moment like that. I think if Astudillo did the same thing, I’d probably laugh along and cheer him for his lovable outrage... because I find him likable and sympathetic.

 

Do I actually know these guys? Heck no. I’m a fraud!

[bighat]

 

I find Donaldson very difficult to root for. His strikes me as the selfish, overly-competitive personality that could lead to a post-baseball series of domestic disturbances.
 

 

This is ridiculous and I think you know it.

[rdehring]

Will double down on the above comments. I also was disappointed in Donaldson's antics. Also don't understand why Maeda didn't go another inning, although not being in the dugout means I don't have the information they did.

 

As for the playoffs, looks like it is going to be the Yankees. Huge to play well enough these last 8 to stay ahead of them for home field which would be huge with how this team has played at Target Field.

 

I see a key being getting Arraez back asap to have someone in the lineup who is going to take great at bats and battle to get on base a lot. Other key is to keep Buxton hot and get someone, anyone else heated up. Gotta believe we will see Maeda game 1, who goes second is a big question mark.

[MABB1959]

Why do they pull Berrios and Majeda so early.  If anyone can work out of a jam it is them.  Seems like if a pitcher lets a team score 2 runs they are pulled.  Seems they are pulling more often after 5 innings now than 7.  I would trust either of these two even if they have 100 pitches more than I trust some people in BP.

[MABB1959]

Buxton has to play the rest of the games or we could be resting him for nothing or to play the Yankees in the first round.

[PopRiveter]

 

This is ridiculous and I think you know it.

I sure do.

 

I think my comment made it pretty clear I have fan prejudice, I have no special insight and I'm not attempting to fairly judge the man. Just saying how my gut feels. 

 

We've seen a lot of nasty, extremely-competitive people come through sport and they can go any number of directions.

 

Obviously, kicking dirt on home plate is no great sin.

 

I just get a bad feeling from him so far. His body language while he plays and his quotes give me the feeling I got when I met Chuck Knoblauch as a child. Maybe I'll come to love him, but right now I find him very difficult to root for.

 

Determined? Check

Talented? Check

Fierce competitor? Check

Stubborn? Check

 

Petulant baby with no self-control when he doesn't get his way?

 

...Prove me wrong , Josh! 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here's the zone for Twins batters yesterday:

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?game_pk=631485&game_date=2020-9-17&type=team_home&chart_view=pitch&chart_type=description&inning=&count=&batter_hand=&pitcher_hand=&filter=Ball,Called%20Strike&player=home-pitchers_517008&view=Umpire&coloring=Pitch%20Type

 

 

According to this, there were only 2 errors against Twins batters -- the outside strike to Donaldson in the 6th, and the inside strike to Marwin in the 5th.

 

The very next pitch to Marwin was one of 3 errors in the Twins favor -- a called ball that actually clipped the bottom of the zone. Kepler in the first also got a ball call in the zone, as did Cruz in the 8th (on an 0-2 pitch, and Cruz singled later in the at bat). Although in Donaldson's defense, he didn't stick around to see that.

[Trov]

This whole series shows how bad umpiring can get under players skin.  Overall, the umpiring was terrible on balls and strikes, but what do you expect when you are dealing with a crew led by Angel.  It was bad on both sides, but when some are so bad it starts to pile up.  A difference of a single pitch can change the whole at bat and possibly game.  Yes, Donaldson should not have been dumb, he still won the at bat.  However, Cruz has been getting hosed on so many outside sliders being called strikes early in at bat that it makes him swing at them later more often.  

 

I have been advocate for electronic zone for years.  Manfred claims it is not good enough tech, but they use the tech to judge umps on accuracy, so it is good enough to judge the people on accuracy, but not accurate enough to be used?  Seems odd to me.  Sounds more like umps pushing against it and too many old traditionalist pushing against it.  I know it will happen eventually.  Normally, it takes a major call in a major game to be blown to say okay enough is enough.  That is where HR replay came in, and then other replay.  I mean how many years was replay in NFL and so many bad calls remained in MLB and people just said, well the human element of bad calls is just part of the game, why?  If you can get the call right, get it right.  

 

I also wish you got more than 1 challenge, so many times you see a loss early on, and then later on you get the clear wrong call but cannot challenge.  It should not be a decision on what could happen later will affect your decision now.  Yes, I do not want unlimited allowing a ton of challenges on every close play, but at least a second one should be allowed.  It does not slow it down that much most of the time.  

[howeda7]

 

We are 4 games up on Cleveland in the win column, and we have the tiebreaker so that's effectively 5 wins up.

 

Cleveland also has 4 with the White Sox next week among their 10 games remaining. If they sweep DET and PIT, and split vs CHW, that's 8-2. The Twins would need to go 3-5 in that scenario to drop to third place.

Tank for 8th! I feel like it's inevitable the Yankees will catch us and I'd much rather go to Chicago, Tampa or Oakland. Frankly I'd rather play them on the road than the Yankees at home.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I have been advocate for electronic zone for years.  Manfred claims it is not good enough tech, but they use the tech to judge umps on accuracy, so it is good enough to judge the people on accuracy, but not accurate enough to be used?  Seems odd to me.

I think the tech issue at this point isn't accuracy, it is speed -- they need to get the call to the ump on the field immediately so the rest of the play can proceed (think baserunner advancement, etc.). I think I read that in the trials they have done so far, there were occasional delays -- they need to eliminate those before they can deploy at the major league level.

 

I don't doubt there will be other resistance to the idea, but there are still real tech challenges here -- it's not just an excuse.

[Trov]

 

I think the tech issue at this point isn't accuracy, it is speed -- they need to get the call to the ump on the field immediately so the rest of the play can proceed (think baserunner advancement, etc.). I think I read that in the trials they have done so far, there were occasional delays -- they need to eliminate those before they can deploy at the major league level.

 

I don't doubt there will be other resistance to the idea, but there are still real tech challenges here -- it's not just an excuse.

Why does the call need to go to ump on the field?  Why could there not be a display showing the call, then no need to relay it?  In cases of 3 ball runner going situations, runner should assume it is a strike until otherwise indicated, so should fielders.  If you want to assume it is a ball and stop running or not throw that is up to the players.  The other day there was what appeared to be a delayed strike call by ump causing runner to slow down thinking it was a ball four situation, well that is on runner for slowing down.  I cannot think of other plays were knowing in an instant would implicate the outcome of a play.  

 

There is no need to have someone tell the ump on the field that was strike or ball, or even a buzz or anything.  Display it on score board, or some guy who has video feed can hold up a sign.  I mean we watch the box in real time and see, how long does it take to have someone watching in real time relay that info?  That even makes it easer on umps they can pay attention then to foul ticks, hbp, or other things and not have to take any brain time on listening to some relay of if pitch is called strike or not.  

 

Unless the tech is not reliable and breaks down I see no reason to delay in using it.  If it is not reliable no need to use it to judge umpires.  So that leaves breaking down, which yes will be a concern, what to do if that happens?  Figure that out, then go from there.  Maybe backup system.  I would not want to then put on umps because they will have lost their edge and practice, or maybe they will get better because they can think strike, and oh look at that I was wrong, or yup I was right and get instant feed back.  

[rdehring]

 

This whole series shows how bad umpiring can get under players skin.  Overall, the umpiring was terrible on balls and strikes, but what do you expect when you are dealing with a crew led by Angel.  It was bad on both sides, but when some are so bad it starts to pile up.  A difference of a single pitch can change the whole at bat and possibly game.  Yes, Donaldson should not have been dumb, he still won the at bat.  However, Cruz has been getting hosed on so many outside sliders being called strikes early in at bat that it makes him swing at them later more often.  

 

I have been advocate for electronic zone for years.  Manfred claims it is not good enough tech, but they use the tech to judge umps on accuracy, so it is good enough to judge the people on accuracy, but not accurate enough to be used?  Seems odd to me.  Sounds more like umps pushing against it and too many old traditionalist pushing against it.  I know it will happen eventually.  Normally, it takes a major call in a major game to be blown to say okay enough is enough.  That is where HR replay came in, and then other replay.  I mean how many years was replay in NFL and so many bad calls remained in MLB and people just said, well the human element of bad calls is just part of the game, why?  If you can get the call right, get it right.  

 

I also wish you got more than 1 challenge, so many times you see a loss early on, and then later on you get the clear wrong call but cannot challenge.  It should not be a decision on what could happen later will affect your decision now.  Yes, I do not want unlimited allowing a ton of challenges on every close play, but at least a second one should be allowed.  It does not slow it down that much most of the time.  

You said something Trov that really hit me. It was your comment about MLB using tech to judge accuracy and grade umps. There are what, 75-80 or so umps in MLB? If they are grading them, why aren't they taking those evaluations at the end of each year and saying goodbye to anyone who has been in the bottom couple for a couple years straight. Would open up slots for the best new guys coming up from MiLB. Might also encourage some to get better.

 

Unfortunately, there is probably something in the Ump Association contracts that won't allow it. Instead we continue to watch absolutely horse crap calls behind home plate.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Why does the call need to go to ump on the field?  Why could there not be a display showing the call, then no need to relay it?  In cases of 3 ball runner going situations, runner should assume it is a strike until otherwise indicated, so should fielders.  If you want to assume it is a ball and stop running or not throw that is up to the players.  The other day there was what appeared to be a delayed strike call by ump causing runner to slow down thinking it was a ball four situation, well that is on runner for slowing down.  I cannot think of other plays were knowing in an instant would implicate the outcome of a play.  

 

There is no need to have someone tell the ump on the field that was strike or ball, or even a buzz or anything.  Display it on score board, or some guy who has video feed can hold up a sign.  I mean we watch the box in real time and see, how long does it take to have someone watching in real time relay that info?  That even makes it easer on umps they can pay attention then to foul ticks, hbp, or other things and not have to take any brain time on listening to some relay of if pitch is called strike or not.  

 

Unless the tech is not reliable and breaks down I see no reason to delay in using it.  If it is not reliable no need to use it to judge umpires.  So that leaves breaking down, which yes will be a concern, what to do if that happens?  Figure that out, then go from there.  Maybe backup system.  I would not want to then put on umps because they will have lost their edge and practice, or maybe they will get better because they can think strike, and oh look at that I was wrong, or yup I was right and get instant feed back.  

They need an umpire on the field anyway for other calls, and also as backup in case the automated system fails to function. And given his proximity to the action, and the fact that players are already trained to listen for his call while they follow the action on the field, it makes sense to have him signal the call as he currently does.

 

I know folks have been frustrated by human umpires, but we've been dealing with that frustration since the dawn of (baseball) time. It's relatively easy to wait a little longer for the automated system. Don't worry, it's coming -- I don't think MLB would have sponsored the system in the Atlantic League and Arizona Fall League if they didn't have an intention of bringing to the majors once it was ready. But MLB teams and players aren't willing to be guinea pigs like indy leaguers or minor leaguers either.

[rdehring]

 

I think the tech issue at this point isn't accuracy, it is speed -- they need to get the call to the ump on the field immediately so the rest of the play can proceed (think baserunner advancement, etc.). I think I read that in the trials they have done so far, there were occasional delays -- they need to eliminate those before they can deploy at the major league level.

 

I don't doubt there will be other resistance to the idea, but there are still real tech challenges here -- it's not just an excuse.

Have thought for a long time that there is a middle ground. Increase each umpire crew to 5. Put the 5th in the press box with access to the screens showing the box. Give him direct verbal communication with with the home plate ump. When a call is made that is clearly wrong, ie, ball called on pitch that is mostly within the zone, or strike called on ball outside the zone, he just tells the ump he missed it and the home plate ump corrects it. 

 

I imagine there are personalities behind home plate that would balk at this. And there could be questions of another play being effected by the wrong call. Another would be money, but baseball is a multi-billion dollar sport, adding 15 umps to sit in the press box ain't gonna destroy the sport. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Have thought for a long time that there is a middle ground. Increase each umpire crew to 5. Put the 5th in the press box with access to the screens showing the box. Give him direct verbal communication with with the home plate ump. When a call is made that is clearly wrong, ie, ball called on pitch that is mostly within the zone, or strike called on ball outside the zone, he just tells the ump he missed it and the home plate ump corrects it. 

 

I imagine there are personalities behind home plate that would balk at this. And there could be questions of another play being effected by the wrong call. Another would be money, but baseball is a multi-billion dollar sport, adding 15 umps to sit in the press box ain't gonna destroy the sport. 

I would have like that for replay in general, instead of manager challenges. Just let the umps on the field make the immediate call, but have an ump in the booth who can buzz an override to his colleagues if something is worth closer examination on video.

 

Not sure it works on balls and strikes, though -- there are so many borderline pitches, I think you'd have players constantly making appeals, hoping to get the attention of the ump in the booth. Whoever makes the initial call there has to have final authority, I think. Just go full automated strikezone so the ump is simply delivering that call, no appeals or overrides are necessary, and you keep that authority but you also gain the accuracy.

[h2oface]

 

You said something Trov that really hit me. It was your comment about MLB using tech to judge accuracy and grade umps. There are what, 75-80 or so umps in MLB? If they are grading them, why aren't they taking those evaluations at the end of each year and saying goodbye to anyone who has been in the bottom couple for a couple years straight. Would open up slots for the best new guys coming up from MiLB. Might also encourage some to get better.

 

Unfortunately, there is probably something in the Ump Association contracts that won't allow it. Instead we continue to watch absolutely horse crap calls behind home plate.

 

This tool originally created to help make umpires better at what they do is a thorn in their side instead. Many umpires have said that they don't even review their work and look at the results and see what they have missed. Pig headed, arrogant and stubborn. They refuse to get better and use tools available to help them. Classic. No wonder they express that attitude on the field. The fact that they aren't accountable daily for what they have missed and are graded is tragic. They could have used it to improve, instead they have used it to make the disconnect larger.

[h2oface]

I have to offer a different perspective to the Donaldson behavior and ejection. First, there is absolutely no rule that states and player cannot kick dirt on the plate (In fact, it happens during the game all the time, as part of play). He didn't say anything to the umpire at the time (previous to being ejected), he didn't get in his face, he didn't spray saliva on him, he didn't make a big deal of it. He didn't even look at the guy, until he was already booted, and then he quickly exited the field after two more swift sweeps with his feet after he made sure he the plate was contacted. He didn't cause benches to clear, he didn't delay the game, he didn't threaten anyone, he didn't flip the umpire the bird, and he didn't break any baseball rule. He didn't even look at the umpire as he crossed the plate! The play was over, and other than returning to the plate to make sure he actually touched it, if the umpire hadn't of felt that he had to become the game instead of view the game and make sure no rules were broken and the ones there are are upheld....... Donaldson would have returned to the dugout, as he was doing anyway, and play would have continued uninterupted. Instead, the umpire disrupted play, caused a delay of game, and took a player who had broken no rule out of the game. 

 

What Donaldson did was effective, funny, and caused no delay and threatened no one. It didn't cause a teammate to actually break a rule and throw a ball at a player on the other team. It appears some that dislike what he did, and are disgusted with it, also have no admonishment for throwing at a batter in childish retribution for someone admiring their home run or clearing the benches and acting like they are fighting, and delaying the game. In fact, many times I read posts that encourage it and hope for it and suggest they should..... and all this behavior is an infraction. They support "unwritten" rules. This is the behavior that we should be concerned that the youth are affected by, in my opinion.

 

I believe it is even an infraction to touch the base runner before he crosses home plate, and yet it happens all the time on home runs and the home run trot (and it happened on this home run trot at first base and third base). It happens at the plate when the bench all surround the player and contact him before he crosses the plate. I don't find anything wrong with that either. Debris and water and sticky gaterade can end up on the plate after the play is over.

 

Donaldson was funny, creative, and got his point across effectively with nonverbal communication that could have, and should have, just been ignored by a secure, balanced umpire, that is doing his job and keeping the game moving and being as invisible as possible. That is his job. Not to become the game. (And not to make so many horrible ball and strike calls, either.)

[DocBauer]

I can't believe Kepler's poor throw to 1B! He has a great arm and just doesn't make mistakes like that. I'm not blaming him for the loss, but that was a huge mis-plays.

 

Buxton never should have been sent home on the one play. But damned if the replay didn't look to me as if his left hand slid between the catchers legs to beat the tag! I think he was safe, unfortunately, no challenge available. And the replay probably wasn't conclusive enough, but I think he was safe.

 

I couldn't help but laugh at Donaldson. But what he did was immature and just shouldn't have been done. My only hope is it will provide both a laugh in the clubhouse but also spark a fire with 8 games left. But it never should have happened.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I have to offer a different perspective to the Donaldson behavior and ejection. First, there is absolutely no rule that states and player cannot kick dirt on the plate (In fact, it happens during the game all the time, as part of play). He didn't say anything to the umpire at the time (previous to being ejected), he didn't get in his face, he didn't spray saliva on him, he didn't make a big deal of it. He didn't even look at the guy, until he was already booted, and then he quickly exited the field after two more swift sweeps with his feet after he made sure he the plate was contacted. He didn't cause benches to clear, he didn't delay the game, he didn't threaten anyone, he didn't flip the umpire the bird, and he didn't break any baseball rule. He didn't even look at the umpire as he crossed the plate! The play was over, and other than returning to the plate to make sure he actually touched it, if the umpire hadn't of felt that he had to become the game instead of view the game and make sure no rules were broken and the ones there are are upheld....... Donaldson would have returned to the dugout, as he was doing anyway, and play would have continued uninterupted. Instead, the umpire disrupted play, caused a delay of game, and took a player who had broken no rule out of the game. 

 

What Donaldson did was effective, funny, and caused no delay and threatened no one. It didn't cause a teammate to actually break a rule and throw a ball at a player on the other team. It appears some that dislike what he did, and are disgusted with it, also have no admonishment for throwing at a batter in childish retribution for someone admiring their home run or clearing the benches and acting like they are fighting, and delaying the game. In fact, many times I read posts that encourage it and hope for it and suggest they should..... and all this behavior is an infraction. They support "unwritten" rules. This is the behavior that we should be concerned that the youth are affected by, in my opinion.

 

I believe it is even an infraction to touch the base runner before he crosses home plate, and yet it happens all the time on home runs and the home run trot (and it happened on this home run trot at first base and third base). It happens at the plate when the bench all surround the player and contact him before he crosses the plate. I don't find anything wrong with that either. Debris and water and sticky gaterade can end up on the plate after the play is over.

 

Donaldson was funny, creative, and got his point across effectively with nonverbal communication that could have, and should have, just been ignored by a secure, balanced umpire, that is doing his job and keeping the game moving and being as invisible as possible. That is his job. Not to become the game. (And not to make so many horrible ball and strike calls, either.)

You know who has to clean home plate, right? It was a deliberate and obvious act, and judging by Donaldson's reaction afterward, he did it to provoke the ump and fully expected to be tossed. You are welcome to enjoy and endorse what he did, but let's not pretend that the consequences of the act were somehow unexpected or unjust.

[USAFChief]

Many umpires have said that they don't even review their work and look at the results and see what they have missed.

Source?

[h2oface]

 

You know who has to clean home plate, right? It was a deliberate and obvious act, and judging by Donaldson's reaction afterward, he did it to provoke the ump and fully expected to be tossed. You are welcome to enjoy and endorse what he did, but let's not pretend that the consequences of the act were somehow unexpected or unjust.

 

 

So what! The umpire has to clean homeplate. He does it graciously all game, even after some batter just kicks dirt on it over and over to get his foot just right in the batters box. After the catcher kicks dirt on it gaurding the plate, or throwing to second. SO WHAT! A little dirt has to be swept off the plate. And the home plate umpire has to do the menial task of taking that little broom out of his pocket and bend over and he gets to get some attention with his own special performance rendition of the little sweep the plate off so he can better see the plate with his aging eyes and hope to guess balls and strikes better. Let's? Let US? Let you. I made my case, and prefer you make yours. I don't agree. Never have, and never will. In my opinion this is funny, creative, and good for baseball. Not a big deal. A tiny deal. And a player should not be ejected for it. Sweeping a little dirt off the plate. I am not one of your us in let's.

 

I guess us don't care that there was no rule infraction that calls for an ejection. Unexpected? Not unexpected, knowing the personality's of umpires. Unjust? I made my case that it is unjust. Thank you for the permission to enjoy and endorse this particular Donaldson performance. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

So what! The umpire has to clean homeplate. He does it graciously all game, even after some batter just kicks dirt on it over and over to get his foot just right in the batters box. After the catcher kicks dirt on it gaurding the plate, or throwing to second. SO WHAT! A little dirt has to be swept off the plate.

Restaurant staff have to clean the floor of the restaurant all the time too, but you'll probably be asked to leave if you deliberately dump your food on the floor in front of them.

 

Again, you can like what Donaldson did, totally endorse it -- that's absolutely fine. It's sports! It's entertainment. But I doubt that even Donaldson himself would claim that he didn't expect to be ejected -- in fact, that was probably his goal.

[h2oface]

 

Restaurant staff have to clean the floor of the restaurant all the time too, but you'll probably be asked to leave if you deliberately dump your food on the floor in front of them.

 

Again, you can like what Donaldson did, totally endorse it -- that's absolutely fine. It's sports! It's entertainment. But I doubt that even Donaldson himself would claim that he didn't expect to be ejected -- in fact, that was probably his goal.

 

Well I can't really get on board with the cafe apples to apples.......

I can't assume to read Donaldson's mind, but you could be right.... you know.... "unwritten" rules and all.

[BeatTheRich]

I haven't read all of the previous comments, so apologies in advance if I'm repeating what others have said. I'm more than ready for an electronic strike zone. Especially in a shortened season like this one, every at bat is magnified in importance. The number of indefensible balls and strikes calls has been appalling.

 

I found myself amused, supportive, and horrified all at the same time over what Donaldson did. I regret that he did it, but I totally understand why he did so. Ideally it will end up lighting a fire under this team.

[Linus]

How long before we start regretting Donaldsons contract?

[Channing1964]

They need an umpire on the field anyway for other calls, and also as backup in case the automated system fails to function. And given his proximity to the action, and the fact that players are already trained to listen for his call while they follow the action on the field, it makes sense to have him signal the call as he currently does.

 

I know folks have been frustrated by human umpires, but we've been dealing with that frustration since the dawn of (baseball) time. It's relatively easy to wait a little longer for the automated system. Don't worry, it's coming -- I don't think MLB would have sponsored the system in the Atlantic League and Arizona Fall League if they didn't have an intention of bringing to the majors once it was ready. But MLB teams and players aren't willing to be guinea pigs like indy leaguers or minor leaguers either.

Im not so sure robot umps would even solve these problems. Everybody that says this has gone on forever is right. This is a team game....it takes probably one at bat to evaluate the strike zone for that whole day. You communicate it to your teammates and let them know how it looks to you. We tried the robot ump in intrasquad and it did not go well. Im not saying its never going to happen, Im saying it's way farther away than some people seem to think. Who is going to regulate the robots? Obviously current senior umpires. How strong is their union? I think we know from previous examples that it is pretty strong. So now we are going to ask an Umpire to oversee a machine that took 75-80% of his colleagues jobs away? I hope i am not around to see the ramifications of that.

[Linus]

Okay. Now that Donaldson has doubled down on his jackass move by claiming incompetent umpiring threatens his livelihood I am officially a hater. He has hundreds of millions in income and he can’t realize his dumb move may have cost his team a win. This guy is not a team guy. Get ready for another 3 years of this crap.