Texas to Tomlinson - Pep Talk for Tough Times

Baseball can be an unforgiving sport, but after umpire Nate Tomlinson had three overturned calls in his MLB debut, Rangers broadcasters Tom Grieve and Dave Raymond responded with compassion, telling their viewing audience about umpiring's difficulties, their families, and most importantly, their humanity.

Grieve, Texas' television color analyst, led with the bulk of the story, drawing on his experience as a major league player with the Washington Senators, Rangers, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals from 1970-79. He was never ejected during his nine-year career, and neither was his son Ben Grieve who played in the bigs from 1997-2005.

Said Grieve, choosing a message of sportsmanship and kindness for umpires, other media figures, and fans alike, "It's easy to sit back and second guess an umpire, to yell at an umpire. They've got a family, his wife is probably watching the game. And to sit up here and take pot shots at the umpire isn't right."

And to 10-year professional umpire Tomlinson: "He wouldn't be here if he hadn't done a great job for 10 years." Added Raymond, "He was the plate umpire at the Futures Game. Those are honors they hand out to guys who are exemplary."

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Alternate Link: Rangers TV responds to 3-OT debut with praise for umps (TEX/CCS)