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| After a two-year absence, Jim Joyce is back to working special baseball events. |
1B: Jim Joyce: This is Joyce's third Midsummer Classic (1994, 2001). Joyce has worked eight Division Series, four League Championship Series and two World Series, missing the 2011 postseason due to injury. This marks Joyce's first special event since the 2009 NLDS; the last time Joyce worked an All-Star Game, he was assigned to that season's World Series (2001).
2B: Brian Runge: This is the first All-Star Game for Brian Runge. Since joining the Majors in 1999, he has worked three Division Series (2004, 07, 08). Runge recently became the 10th umpire in MLB history to call balls and strikes for multiple no-hitters in a single season.
3B: Tony Randazzo: 2012 is Randazzo's second All-Star Game (2001). He has worked four Division Series and the 2010 ALCS.
LF: Lance Barksdale: This is the first Midsummer Classic for Lance Barksdale and first special event assignment since joining the full-time MLB staff in July 2006.
RF: Brian Knight: Promoted to the MLB staff in 2011, this is the first special event assignment for Brian Knight, who umpired his first Major League contest on May 7, 2001, as a Triple-A call-up umpire.
News: Umpires, official scorers appointed for the 2012 Midsummer Classic
36 comments :
Anyone catch the symbolism of Joyce working first base, which of course is where he had that imperfect game call in Detroit? Shows that MLB fully trusts him again.
Not to brag, but I did just predict two of these umps (Joyce, Randazzo) correctly on the James Hoye thread.
Of the above selections, the most questionable might be the inclusion of Brian Knight. Seems to me that getting an All-Star game in his second year is a tad quick.
The most recent example of the quick-AG turnaround is Chris Guccione (hired in 2009, ASG in 2011). Prior to that, Paul Schrieber was hired in 1998 and worked the 2000 ASG while several umpires hired in 1999 worked the 2001 Classic.
Knight's 2011 hiring-to-2012 All-Star appearance is the fastest of all active umpires.
Thanks for the info Gil. I'm guessing some of the quick turnarounds in 2001 were related to the 1999 mass-resignation fiasco.
How does Knight make the all star game after his debacle with Verlander. Completely unprofessional when an umpire has to be restrained by the catcher. I guess if that's the criteria for being an "all star" then 10 loss pitchers should start and Tim Welke, Mike DiMuro, and Angel Campos should be out there, too.
Glad to see Brian Runge finally getting accolades for the fine work he does. Two no-hitters- and a perfect game, this man should be working every special event. I'm predicting now that you will see Runge in the World Series this year. Great blood lines like this should be honored and revered.
seriously knight?!?! i would have AJ and fairchild ahead of him (maybe even hoye pre-this past weekend)...maybe one of them will get the playoffs.
Brian Knight has quietly had a solid year, minus the Verlander fiasco. Give him his credit.
Anon 2:05, Runge is not eligible for the World Series as he has not worked an lCS series yet.
Anon 2:13, Fairchild missed 3.5 weeks earlier this season so he is probably not eligible for the All Star Game.
I agree with being being a little puzzled on Knight getting the All Star Game but I wouldn't read too much into it. Working the All Star Game does not gurantee you a playoff spot, just ask Hunter Wendlstedt and Ed Hickox who worked the All Star Game but not the Playoffs last season. I think Knight was pretty bad last season, 6 ejections 3 or 4 of which were on incorrect calls but has really quieted it down this season with only 1 ejection of Leyland and we all know how much Leyland argues.
I also would have taken AJ over Knight but I think his blown call in the Johan no-hitter destroyed those chances. I know everyone blows calls, but his was so highly publicized they probably want things to settle down before giving him a special event. I'm hoping to see him in the playoffs this year, he has earned it.
Do you think that the assignment of Davis as HP and CC is similar to Riley's assignment in that it is signaling his last "hoorah" and he will retire at the end of the year? His video from spring training made it sound like he is getting close to ending his career.
Russ, you need to check your facts about requirements to work the World Series. The LCS is not required before working a Series. An example would be Laz Diaz being assigned the '07 Series and then working his first LCS in '09. The commissioner's office reserves the right to assign all post season assignments.
If you're in Vegas, take the under with Davis behind the plate......the league's smallest strike zone.
Here is an interesting fact. Since 2001 at least one of the umpires who worked the All
Star game have also worked the World Series. Interestingly, the last year Joyce worked the ALL Star game is also the last time he worked the World Series. Referring to the previous post I believe Laz Diaz is the only umpire you can find who worked the Series before a LCS. You can draw your own conclusions. I would venture a guess that at least one of the three who are eligible for the World Series (Davis,Joyce and Randazzo) will indeed work the World Series.
Anyone have any thoughts on Lance Barksdale? Never hear much about him (good or bad)...really seems to be an under-the-radar type, so don't really know much about his work.
This seems to be the "crew of the underrated and undervalued." I like Davis, Joyce, Runge & Barksdale. I have no opinion one way or the other on Randazzo or Knight.
You guys keep using the word eligible in reference to working the World Series. Every umpire on staff is eligible, the only requirement is being on staff. Now, you would be right in saying it is more likely that the umpires that have have worked an LCS will work In the Series. Vote Brian Runge!
Just because Runge umpired 2 no hitters this year you think he should umpire in the world series? Just because he umpired 2 no hitters does not make him a good umpire. He is just another example of its who you know not what you know to make it as an mlb umpire.
Anon 5:32, It has literally happened only once ever that an Umpire worked the World Series before an LCS. I am not sure why it happened then but don't expect it to happen now. Runge is not good enough to work a world series. Period. I have nothing against him and how he got the job but he is not World Series material at this point in time. I'm not saying he won't work the Playoffs this year because I would say there is a pretty good chance he does, but I think there is a less than 2% you see him there. Sorry.
Isn't joe west older than Gerry Davis? Hunter wendelstedt believe back from vacation, and is now filling in for tim welke. Mike Everett CC
I'm watching the Rockies-Cardinals game and it is Welke at third, not Wendlstedt. Must be a misprint in the Box score.As far as West being older than Davis, they are both 59 years old. West has been in the league longer but Davis has been a CC longer.
yeah i saw that welke wasn't at third before the game. I agree, must be a misprint. I hope Davis dosn't retire good ump. Any news on any umps coming back from injury or vaction. i.e Dreckman, Rapuano. etc.
There is some precedent for this, Gerry Davis was a Crew Chief in a World Series a couple of years ago and Joe West was the 1st base umpire (for the 1st game). I think it goes by the years an umpire has been a crew chief. With Joyce being a "rookie" as a full-time crew chief and the next senior umpire, it would fit that that he would be at 1st base, as the next next alternate to be crew chief.
Russ, you said "eligible" when refering to the World Series, not me. So , instead of being stubborn......all you need to say is "yes, all umpires on staff are "eligible" to work any post season assignment, including the series.
What has Runge done wrong that makes you believe he is not ready to work the World Series? Plays? Situations? Or are you just jealous of his father and grandfather?
Fairchild's back from injury, and Jordan Baker turns in a much better performance than in his previous plate job: http://bit.ly/O7zJXV
Russ, West will be 60 this year having been born in '52. Davis was born in '53 making him one year younger. Davis was named crew chief in '99 when West was "fired". I don't think that Davis should gain an advantage, because West was eventually reinstated with back pay for the years he missed, because of the failed resignation strategy. Davis just plays the game better than The Cowboy.
Brian Gorman should mix in a salad.
@ Anon 11:31
Not only is that classless, you must realize you are attacking one of the best umps in baseball.
This looks like a rather "young" crew for the All-Star Game. Surprised not to see two veteran crew chiefs in.
Brian Knight just completely blew a call at first base in San Diego. He called Cameron Maybin out when he was clearly safe and Bud Black was ejected by Knight. The UEFL curse continues, I posted a few days ago that Knight had been having a quiet year and then this happens. Go figure.
UEFL curse! I LOVE IT! Ok... I've noticed that COUNTRY JOE WEST'S CREW has been fairly quiet so far this year.... ;)
brian Knight DID bad yesterday Cameron Maybin was not out he was safe
they will been 2 on and out
@ Anon 10:14
Wow! This is becoming hilarious! Did Sam Holbrook read your comment?
HAHA! Cowboy Joe & Co. don't disappoint. Let's see... who should eject someone next...
Hmmm...
D.J. Reyburn! (wink, wink)
How about Angel Hernandez? He's been quiet. Of course, he'll have to wait until after the break.
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