Kevin_K Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Jersey boy Phil Cuzzi is calling it quits. His story on the field and off the field is really inspiring. From losing his spot in the MLB to regaining it and the work he does in the memory of a HS classmate, Phil is a one of a kind guy who never forgot where he came from. Phil Cuzzi Quote
TheLovejoy Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 He also shouldn't have even been there in the first place. He basically stalked one of the umpire coordinator/authority people in a hotel or something. I forget what the entire story was, but he annoyed them into getting him a job in the beginning. Quote
dumbdumb Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 2 hours ago, TheLovejoy said: He also shouldn't have even been there in the first place. He basically stalked one of the umpire coordinator/authority people in a hotel or something. I forget what the entire story was, but he annoyed them into getting him a job in the beginning. here is the story (there may be another similar article, but this is the one i just found and i will look for others later to see if the stories differ).just remember coleman could have said no, and regardless of saying yes or no (annoyed or not annoyed), he said yes, (and plenty of people have annoyed others and the others stiil said no, just like our parents did to all of us, or maybe they actually said yes just once in their life and we didn't know what the heck to do), and then the good fortune of the 99 situation and the 22 new hires that created. who knows what would have happened (wouda, coulda, shoulda), without that situation, for many of the 22, but it did happen. another umpire named reilly(dont know if he was related) got to aaa?? and got to start over but did not make it. after that, i think they put a stop to, do overs, only one chance to make it now. one and done if no MLBU. https://ballnine.com/2021/02/13/the-man-behind-the-mask/ Quote
BigBlue4u Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Unfortunately, Phill could never get a grip on a consistent strike zone. In 29 years of umpiring, he had 104 ejections, 65 of them relating to balls and strikes. At the other end of the spectrum is Nestor Chylak. In 25 years, he had 31 ejections, three as the result of balls and strikes. Quote
dumbdumb Posted February 24 Report Posted February 24 On 2/22/2026 at 4:20 PM, BigBlue4u said: Unfortunately, Phill could never get a grip on a consistent strike zone. In 29 years of umpiring, he had 104 ejections, 65 of them relating to balls and strikes. At the other end of the spectrum is Nestor Chylak. In 25 years, he had 31 ejections, three as the result of balls and strikes. any thoughts on Lance Barrett who has 37 out of 44 so far which is a higher percentage than 65 out of 104 which is roughly 82% vs 62%. Doug Eddings 64 of 107. Paul Emmel 45 of 72. Bill Miller 42 of 70 Quote
SeeingEyeDog Posted February 24 Report Posted February 24 The first word in the article says it all...PERSEVERANCE. Would I sit up outside a decision maker's hotel room all night to chase my dream? No...maybe I didn't dream big enough. That being said...the use of stalking as it relates to the legal definition, is a bit overwrought. It's not legally considered stalking until the person being "followed" or "harassed" tells the person following them or harassing them to stop. Ask me how I know...and I don't see anything in that article where Coleman told him to stop bothering him. As for skill and talent and you know...ACTUAL DATA? Instead of...you know...random internet opinions? Via umpscorecards.com...In 2025, Cuzzi had 31 plates. He saw 4,536 pitches. His accuracy was 93.83%. Edwin Jimenez led the MLB with a 96.18% accuracy. Although he saw 3,819 pitches over 26 plates. Bruce Dreckman had the worst accuracy of guys with 24+ plates at 92.5% for 3,651 pitches over 24 plates. To people who want to say, he couldn't get a consistent grip on the strikezone well...he spent 28 seasons split by a break working at the MLB level. He's worked 3 LCS series, 7 Division Series, 1 World Series, 2 Wild Card Game/Series and 2 All-Star Games. I think we can all agree Phil Cuzzi is not going to Cooperstown and we'd also agree that's a great career for someone who worked to that level, was fired and worked his way back like his life depended on it. Cuzzi is now 70. I'd be thrilled with 93% accuracy at 70 years of age and I work high school baseball. ~Dawg 1 Quote
BigBlue4u Posted February 24 Report Posted February 24 3 hours ago, dumbdumb said: any thoughts on Lance Barrett who has 37 out of 44 so far which is a higher percentage than 65 out of 104 which is roughly 82% vs 62%. Doug Eddings 64 of 107. Paul Emmel 45 of 72. Bill Miller 42 of 70 Thoughts? Yes. Barrett 16 years, Emmel 22 years, Eddings 28 years, Miller 29 years Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.