Jim Leyland Comments

[mjr_2013]

"We have to work harder to eliminate some of the tension. You can feel it. That's just not a good situation. That usually causes blowups. The tension level is much more than it should be, between managers, players, coaches, umpires. I know Joe [Torre] is trying to get it resolved. But right now, the tension seems like it's almost worse. I'm not just talking about us, I'm talking throughout baseball. I'm not criticizing anybody in particular, but I'm making the point that we all have to work together to resolve this situation because it's getting out of hand.... In my opinion, you can quote me, that [West's] was not the proper call, but that happens. Guys miss calls, I make mistakes, players strike out, pitchers balk. That's all part of the game... And I'm going to talk to the team that we can't be looking for excuses. We're not pushing anything on the umpires after a couple of tough games. We [The Tigers] have to take care of our own business. But somehow for the better of the game, for everybody, something has to happen to tone this stuff down a little bit. There's just too much tension. I mean, you can feel it. Managers, coaches and players are on edge. Umpires are on edge — and it leads to blowups. It's not a good situation."

I think it comes to no surprise that these comments were following a game officiated by the crew led by Joe West... It was also following...

1. Angel Campos Ejection of Bobby Abreu in the bottom of the first: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16653787

2. A very close call down the 3rd base line made by Angel Hernandez called foul... I cannot find a video, but watching the replay, it looks fair to me... I will try to take a video of my TV recording of the game.

3. A blown call at 1st by Joe West in the bottom of the 2nd... I cannot find a video, but I did watch the game live, and he was out by half a step, and called safe... I will try to take a video of my TV recording of the game. This runner, who should have been out, eventually scored the only run of the game

4. Joe West Ejection of Jim Leyland in the 7th: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16656437

5. Angel Hernandez Ejection of Justin Verlander in the 8th: No video found, I'll try to make one

6. Joe West Ejection of Rick Porcello in the 8th: No video found, I'll try to make one.

Anyway, while I try to get that video up, any comments on 1-6 and what do you think of Leyland's comments?

[mjr_2013]

I took a 6 minute video of everything that happened except for Abreu's ejection (it was covered completely by MLB.com)...

I'll upload the video to Youtube tomorrow, because I'm on a laptop that I have no idea how to use... (It almost took me an hour to get that first post up!)... Even 16 year olds can be technologiclly impaired. :lol:

[Daniel]

Here's the play at first.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16656179

[mstaylor]

I took a 6 minute video of everything that happened except for Abreu's ejection (it was covered completely by MLB.com)...

I'll upload the video to Youtube tomorrow, because I'm on a laptop that I have no idea how to use... (It almost took me an hour to get that first post up!)... Even 16 year olds can be technologiclly impaired.

I suspect that where the throw was high there was very little pop so he has to try to see a ball at arms length and above F3's head plus the foot touching the base. He did get it wrong but I can see how. I don't see anyway he can get help. It wasn't a question of a pulled foot, he just thought the runner beat the throw.

[Maineac]

Read this column from the associated press:

http://www.presshera...2011-07-08.html

Always a good idea to quote the notably level-headed and unbiased Earl Weaver to bolster your article.

[mstaylor]

They could have gone to Ozzie for a quote or two. :)

[HokieUmp]

Anyway, while I try to get that video up, any comments on 1-6 and what do you think of Leyland's comments?

Leyland's a rat, that's what I think.

Kind of like Mrs O'Leary's cow saying "My, a lot of buildings appear to be on fire. Someone should DO something about that!"

Rat.

[mstaylor]

Have I mentioned that Leyland is an idiot?

[yawetag]

They could have gone to Ozzie for a quote or two.

And then asked Maddon for a dissenting opinion.

I've never heard anything said about Bobby Cox, neither good nor bad. But everytime I've heard him on the radio, he seems to be a really nice guy who knows his stuff. It makes me wonder how much the umpires liked him when he was in the dugout.

[Thunderheads]

Have I mentioned that Leyland is an idiot?

No, ...I think in this situation, Joe West is .... I have a friend in SoCal who was at that game....and on the Tigers dugout side....and said that West started the "ejection" portion of this whole incident

Rats are rats, and Leyland can be way overboard, ... but anyone who thinks West DOESN'T have a chip on his shoulder is nuts

[Marcus6]

Have I mentioned that Leyland is an idiot?

No, ...I think in this situation, Joe West is .... I have a friend in SoCal who was at that game....and on the Tigers dugout side....and said that West started the "ejection" portion of this whole incident

Rats are rats, and Leyland can be way overboard, ... but anyone who thinks West DOESN'T have a chip on his shoulder is nuts

Do a google news search for more but looks like MLB has broken up Joe's crew and moved Angel to Gerry Davis' crew after the all star break. Very interesting.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/15/mlb-splits-up-agitator-umps-joe-west-and-angel-hernandez/

[zm1283]

Have I mentioned that Leyland is an idiot?

No, ...I think in this situation, Joe West is .... I have a friend in SoCal who was at that game....and on the Tigers dugout side....and said that West started the "ejection" portion of this whole incident

Rats are rats, and Leyland can be way overboard, ... but anyone who thinks West DOESN'T have a chip on his shoulder is nuts

Do a google news search for more but looks like MLB has broken up Joe's crew and moved Angel to Gerry Davis' crew after the all star break. Very interesting.

http://hardballtalk....ngel-hernandez/

The comments at the bottom take the cake. And people wonder why we have such disdain for "fanboys".....