Bob Davidson

[Umpire in Chief]

Today we had 2 different video examples of Bob Davidson calls we questioned (and they were not balks  ). Then were some comments on his ability.

 

I'm not trying to defend Bob or make excuses for him, but this is the way I see it. 

 

Bob is among the last umpires of his era. But one of the things that I see that makes him different than his contemporaries is that he has probably changed with the times the least. Even Cowboy Joe has changed his style of umpiring to some degree over the recent years, but IMO it seems Bob hasn't. 

 

Look at the most recent guys hired and look at what is coming out of PBUC now. Beyond rules and mechanics the philosophy of umpiring has changed greatly. 

 

With our modern mechanics and philosophy, if you were to travel back in time to 1941 and put one of the MLB new hire umpires like Corey Blaser in a crew with Hall of Fame umpires Bill Klem, Jocko Conlan and Al Barlick seem like Bob Davidson does today?

[UmpJeff]

Truth be told, I've made some comments about him in those posts.  He'll have more "umpire" ability than I ever will.  As I mentioned, who am I to criticize...I'M the one watching HIM umpire MLB games.  But, Warren, you are correct.  Bob's philosophy and mechanics are indeed, old school. 

[BigUmpire]

Guys coming out of PBUC and minors are MUCH more athletic than umpires of that past.

[BigUmpire]

Size and the ability to intimidate others were attributes long ago, John McSherry types.