Marcus6

Interesting fact as a follow up. I remember this quite well as Guccione and Drake were up at the MLB level almost every day for years before being hired. Part of it was no openings and the agreement that gave Hallion, Hickox, and Davidson their jobs back. Guccione worked over 1,200 games as a call up and I believe when he was hired he only got 3 years of service time or something like that. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/chris-guccione/

I predict Krupa, Wilson, and Traynor they are high on and leapfrog some with more games. Don’t think Krupa and Wilson get hired this offseason but I think Traynor does.

One of the interesting things is her age - she is 49 per Google. If she got hired full time she would be starting at 50. For all of us who follow this, we know that is unheard of. Some have retired in their early 50s (ie Jim Reynolds). It’s also hard to see them releasing Jen after they have “invested” so much in her story.

Where is this list?

This will be interesting - would have to think Brock Ballew, Derek Thomas are in line. Also seems like Willie Traynor is a fast track and would crack this new hire group. Bacon has been up and down for a while but hasn’t been as up this year as he was last year. I felt like the hirings of guys like Mackay, Clemons, and Walsh lately were “out of left field” so who knows? Feel like James Jean and Dexter Kelley haven’t been up in a while. Also don’t think they can pass up Pawol with how much they have invested in her.

Assignors/ coordinators are getting kickbacks from Smitty? Just my $.02 but I feel like Smitty jumped into this at a good time when Honig’s was falling apart and Ump Attire was getting a lot of traction. Honigs and +POS made their own stuff (private label pants, shirts, gear, etc) so when they struggled, Smitty was there at a much lower cost. I’ve always disliked Smitty stuff and think it is cheap and poorly made. Them copying the prior New Balance plate shoe made me laugh. They also did a good job catering to guys who don’t want to spend $30+ on a shirt, etc. There is a lot of those guys out there. As someone with a professional career who has a closet full of professional clothing, $100 for a pair of well made umpire pants is fine with me.

The current Purchase Officials catalog says they are getting these in 2027. Is Davis getting these @DerekGDS?

Really really like the BFX Pro (have the base pants) in terms of material, stretch, and color but think they are cut too thin and skinny. Just my $.02.

Dont disagree it’s obviously a takeover/control move by MLB

Saw an interview with Michael Hill and he said not bringing it in house would eliminate some potential candidates who didn’t have the $$ to attend pro school - this MLB “takeover” helps eliminate that and provide for greater access.

Noticed Segal working the plate in 95 degree temps in Cleveland on July 1 wearing this long sleeve dark navy compression shirt. There’s a logo on the right sleeve - any idea what brand this is? Would have to think this is to protect his skin but curious if anybody knows why one would wear this in stifling heat.

I like the Kuta but the padding is a lot more dense and heavier feeling than the Wilson/Douglas Qualax foam padding. It’s super thin though.

Hubba Hubba

Thank you