At PHSports, the contributors often disagree. However, there's one topic we all agree on and that's the importance of accountability.
In fact, the first post on this blog criticized poor officiating.
With that said, I was ecstatic to see the MLB's decision to suspend Mike Winters for the remainder of the season for his actions in the fracas resulting in Milton Bradley's torn ACL. He was out of line.
Too often, officials become part of the game when they should be mere flies on the wall. How does the MLB go about compensating Bradley if he is indeed out of contract at year's end?
When did officials learn to provoke players? I know calling players like Bradley and Rasheed Wallace volatile is an understatement, but this calls the integrity of the game into question.
In fact, the first post on this blog criticized poor officiating.
With that said, I was ecstatic to see the MLB's decision to suspend Mike Winters for the remainder of the season for his actions in the fracas resulting in Milton Bradley's torn ACL. He was out of line.
Too often, officials become part of the game when they should be mere flies on the wall. How does the MLB go about compensating Bradley if he is indeed out of contract at year's end?
When did officials learn to provoke players? I know calling players like Bradley and Rasheed Wallace volatile is an understatement, but this calls the integrity of the game into question.
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4 comments:
While I'm glad that the jackass got suspended, let's keep in mind that the "rest of the season" is a week or so for the regular season, and then the post-season. Frankly, I think that Winters should be suspended indefinitely, fined, and be subjected to have his own ACL torn. But that's just me and my hatred of referees.
It is remarkable how forgiving we are to athletes who consistently curse, molest, and intimidate officials only to be allowed to play the next day and pick up their paycheck. Yet, on this rare occasion that an umpire baits a player into an argument--and is then injured in a freak accident--we not only cry for the umpire’s banishment, but encourage retaliation in the form of Hammurabi’s code?
Winters was justly suspended for the remainder of the season, after which, he should rightly be allowed to continue his duties.
If you despise officials so much, then create a profitable and entertaining sport that does not require them instead of subjecting officials to ridiculous and disproportionate penalties.
When was the last time a player "molested" an official? Maybe it's b/c it's 12:05 AM, but I cant recall an incident where a player physically provoked or "molested" a referee and was not punished for it.
Furthermore, a referee's job is to call a game, and understandably they make bad calls from time to time. But like a defendant who loses his case, a player has every right to appeal the call of the ref. And if the mistake is an egregious one that is not corrected (which seems to happen more often than not these days, even w/ the advent of instant replay), then that referee SHOULD be criticized in the public eye. Just like when a star athlete fails to perform, he is then torn a new one by the public and by the media.
In this instance, an official baited a player into an argument. There was no rhyme or reason for this. If a judge picks a verbal fight w/ a defendant for no reason, that judge faces strict disciplinary action. This is no different. An umpire/referee/official/etc. is the "judge" in a sporting event. It is his/her place to weigh what s/he sees w/ his own eyes and make a neutral judgment call. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but when was harassing one of the people you're to judge part of being an official?
I love both sides of this debate.
I also love chiming in after everyone else gave "fact-based" opinions.
Yeah, they exist.
I think Bradley is an idiot who had this coming to him.
I also think umpires have to be above the players and their childish actions.
In the end, San Diego fans are hurt...but the front office knew Bradley was capable of this.
Yes, even THIS type of incident.
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