Like I said last night, “Me Laz Diaz. Me can’t see where pitches are, just where catcher’s mitt is.”

What the heck are you out there for if it is not to call the strike zone? Not “did the pitcher hit the target,” but “was the pitch a strike.”

This extra stuff is just insane, though. “Earn” the privilege to throw the ball back to the pitcher? What kind of asshole behavior is that?

As an aside, the Tigers better beat the BoSox today. I don’t want the Yanks getting them on a four-game losing streak.

Cream of Mushroom paid off.

Umps are dicks because they are in positions of power. Power corrupts. Until there is accountability for umpires, their behavior won’t change.

So, how much does Martin get fined for this?

The A-Rod AB in the first inning was funny-sad: A-Rod clearly checked his swing at ball four, the Angels guys said so themselves, A-Rod asked Diaz to check the 1st base umpire, but no.

Laz Diaz is a disgrace to the game.  Not that he’s the only umpire to fit this description, but the A-Rod at bat in the first was a very obvious declaration that Diaz wanted everyone to know he was in charge, and nothing really mattered from that point forward but Diaz’ opinion.

The Martin comments after the game show that Diaz isn’t content to make a statement and then do his job, the entire night has to be about his ego.

Baseball really needs a commissioner.

Joe Torre as the next commish?

Torre would have to go out of his way to slight the Yankees, so I vote no.

Maybe after A-Rod has retired and gotten into the Hall.

Yeah, in this instance, A-Rod would likely be fined.

By the way, will A-Rod actually get into the Hall within the next 15 years?

I’m not saying I want it, I’m just speculating that it could happen.  He’s avuncular.

I can’t find a source, but I remember reading/hearing that umpires used to receive video reviews after a game of borderline/missed calls, as a sort of continuing education, and that now they don’t.

[11] He won’t be eligible, unless he opts out of his next $300m contract in order to retire.

[13] Gah!  They ended that?

Laz Diaz actually called just 77.0% of balls taken in the PitchFX strike zone correctly last night.  He missed 14 strikes, 9 of which were thrown by Yankees.  He also called 4 strikes against Yankees batters that were outside of the strikezone, and 2 against the Angels.

So 13 botched calls against the Yankees, 7 against the Angels.

That’s not inconsistent with an unbiased error rate of 10 per team, assuming the distribution of missed lengths is similar.

I assume that doesn’t consider the usual extra inches off the plate for LHB?

From a previous thread:

“Plus, once Melky left, Cano took his frustration at no more sleepovers out on opposing pitchers.”

I’d settle for Cano’s #s during Melky’s last year in NY over his numbers this year. In fact, 2005 Tony Womack hit better than Cano is hitting this year, and nobody ever mistook Woemack for a 4 hitter.

Maybe K-Long should join Mickey Hatcher in the unemployment line…

Tigers about to be swept.  Wanna bet they play better vs us?

Jinxed em’

Phew. I mean, I know it logically doesn’t make any difference if the Tigers won tonight or not but it feels better knowing they won’t be coming in on a four-game losing streak.

And it is always good when Boston loses.

Yes and yes.

In fact, 2005 Tony Womack hit better than Cano is hitting this year, and nobody ever mistook Woemack for a 4 hitter.

Wait, what?!?!

2005 Tony Womack had a .556 OPS. I assume this is some kind of hyperbole?

Cano has an .853 OPS right now, and rising…

By the way, has Jeter been as terrible as it seems since about May 10th?

[23] I just about spit out my drink when I read an assertion that Woemack was better than… well, anybody.  Cano may not be in full wolf mode yet, but he’s doing fine.

[24] Yes, I think so.

[24] Wonder if he’s hurt.