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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ejections: Bob Davidson (6, 7)

HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Cubs right fielder Tyler Colvin and Manager Mike Quade for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Pirates game. With two out and none on, Colvin took a 1-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton for a called third strike. Replays indicate the called third strike was belt high and over the inner half of home plate, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

These are Bob Davidson (6)'s sixth and seventh ejections of 2011.
Bob Davidson now has 10 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (2 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 10).
Bob Davidson is owned as a Primary Umpire by BGMTOM, who is now in 14th place in the UEFL with 14 points.
Bob Davidson is owned as a Primary Umpire by Bino, who is now tied for 15th place in the UEFL with 13 points.
Bob Davidson is owned as a Secondary Umpire by BrooklynUmp, who is now tied for 22nd place in the UEFL with 9 points.
*This call is correct per UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.a. (Kulpa Rule). The called third strike is associated with a px value of 0.899, which corresponds to the "always a strike" range.

These are the 140th and 141st ejections of 2011.
This is the 66th player ejection of 2011.
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Colvin was 0-2 in the contest.
This is Mike Quade's fifth ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Cubs at Pirates 8/3/11
Video: Colvin, then Quade, are ejected for arguing balls and strikes between innings

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

28 comments:

  1. Bob Davidson is the worst umpire in the majors. It is time for him to go. He is inconsistent and just interjects himself into the game way too much. His ninth inning in this game was horrendous.

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  2. Does it seem to anyone else that the number of ejections of people in the dugout/walking away from an argument has risen noticeably of late?

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  3. He ejects his way into every game haha...from an outsider's perspective, his ejections tonight look bad- you don't want to eject someone with their back to you- i was taught to at least call out their name, get them to turn around, and then dump them

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  4. For once, I agree with an announcer!

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  5. Out of curiosity, Gil, is Quade now the most ejected manager in pro baseball this season? I know you said Leyland had four not too long ago, so did Quade effectively break that tie and take over first place alone?

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  6. Davidson.... -facepalm- Honestly, I think he's a member of this website in disguise. He owns himself and thus ejects as many people as he can to win the title.

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  7. @Anonymous 10:02 PM, good memory. Leyland still has four, so Mike Quade now has passed Leyland. However, Rays Manager Joe Maddon also has five ejections thus far in 2011, so Quade has yet to hold sole possession of first place. Also with five ejections is Astros Manager Brad Mills.

    Don't worry about Leyland, for Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire is keeping him company at the four ejection mark.

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  8. The strike three call was a borderline call, so I'll give Davidson the benefit of the doubt on that.

    Don't know what Colvin said or did, cause they didn't show it. So he might have deserved the ejection.

    But to eject Quade as his back was turned, and he was walking away, is a bad job by Bob. Seemed very unnecessary. Quade came out to protect his player, and appeared to be talking to Davidson in a relatively civil manner. Davidson is the one that got nasty and combative, as he very often does. He comes off as very unprofessional when he acts like that.

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  9. The call was right. Appeared like Colvin used language, but used language towards himself, not the call or Bob Davidson. It was ridiculous how Balkin' Bob tossed him walking to the dugout.

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  10. Your all wrong. The call was correct, yet you seem to want to take the players side. Why? What kind of jurist is that? If Bob was wrong yesterday, what does that have to do with today?

    Shame on those of you who carry your baggage here to this forum, and make biased posts.

    The rest of us get it, you all hate Bob, and he's the worst. That's your opinion. I really don't care to hear every ones opinion about Bob every time he has an ejection.

    I would like you know I will form my own opinion about Bob, I don't need any of your help.

    The personal attacks should be deleted. This site has become out of line in regards to Bob.

    Please stick to the evaluation of the calls.

    The continued speculation about what motivates Bob, is really what is most concerning.

    He calls it the way he see's it, that's all we can ask.

    Your all a pack of wolves. The mob mentality is a foot.

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  11. Not sure how Colvin was tossed, but was it for throwing equipment or gestures - you know, the no brainer fodder? Personally don't see what Quade did wrong, but then again, in Marvin Hudson's ejection tonight, I don't exactly see why Hudson had such a fast trigger. At least Bob Davidson let Quade come out to say his peace before throwing him out of the game.

    Honestly though, the pitch is a strike, and it's not one of those tough borderline calls either. Sure, it's on the corner, but it's more of an "over the plate" type of corner than an "off the plate" corner.

    That said, I don't quite understand how 15 people so far have checked the "incorrect call" box on the quick vote. I mean we have a computer graphic that says the call is right. How do you disagree with a computer?

    Also, @ Anonymous 12:34 AM, I don't think most of us who have commented are questioning that Bob got the strike three call right. Most of us know that. You're right, there are a bunch of people that just pile on, much like with Bill Hohn a few years ago. But that criticism is reflective of the umpire's performance. I recall this website awarding Bill Hohn the "Most Improved Umpire" award last year. I think what turns people off to Bob Davidson is that somehow he has developed this reputation for arrogance, sometimes wanting to start something, and thinking he's all that when he's as human as anyone else.

    This website does a very good job at sticking to the evaluation of the calls. The post says "the call was correct." It doesn't say anything about how the ejection was warranted/not warranted, or how Quade was doing X while Davidson did Y. As far as that goes, it's black & white when it comes to a called strike. The computer spits out a number, the post interprets the number to form a correct/incorrect call decision, and that's about it. I think most of us here like watching the video and then talking about it with others.

    Somewhere along the line, for Bob, it's just snowballed into a place where people are putting him on the lower half of the totem pole. But as i already said. Bill Hohn was once in Bob's spot and he was lifted back up. Hunter Wendelstedt was once in Bob's spot and I haven't heard all that much criticism of him lately. Sure there are the nuts out there that post "worst umpire" "should be fired" etc etc, but do we really value their opinions anyway?

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  12. I'm sure most of Bob's quick ejections are comments made about his age. A batter walking away can mumble those type of comments, and then when Bob ejects them, the player can act innocent.

    I can't believe people can be so naive to think Bob is making stuff up, and ejecting people for no reason. Think about, if Davidson misses a pitch, he's old. Those of us that have lived a few years know about the whispers all to well.
    Young guys miss pitches cause their bad. Old guys miss pitches because they are too old. It's a story as old as time.

    A comment about his age???? He just cannot pretend he didn't hear them. It's a tough
    spot to be in, take the comments and abuse night after night, or have a zero tolerance policy, and look like a maniac umpire. Tough spot for sure.

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  13. I love the strike call. Dead on.

    While the hook was late, and therefor looked bad, I agree with dumping Quade. That whole counting on his fingers routine is a list of some type, and you can bet it isn't Bob's good qualities. I'd bet it's a list of all the things Quade thinks Bob has gotten wrong in this individual game. I'd have dumped him too.

    Jon Terry

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  14. "He calls it the way he sees it[;] that's all we can ask."

    Actually, no. We can ask him to get it right (which I believe he did, here), and we can ask him to be a bit more patient. That isn't out of line. Further, I don't believe it's out of line to consider the body of evidence when considering Mr. Davidson as an umpire. Every case is decided on its own merits, but if several cases stack up to be a bit short-tempered or repeatedly belligerent, I don't see any problem with grumbling about it. After all, we're here to discuss umpire performance. If all we're going to do is say, "he did the best he could, and that's better than you could do because you've not done it as long as he has," or "he called what he saw," this forum, and largely this site, are irrelevant.

    The fact that Bob Davidson got the call right is great! The fact that he ejected 2 people whose backs were turned at the time of ejection is, if nothing else, a bit suspect. I respect the above poster who suggested that both Quade and Colvin were muttering something terrible about Bob Davidson, and that these mutterings forced an ejection. However, if someone checked such things, I suspect Bob Davidson leads the "rabbit ears ejection" category for the past several years. He seems to be constantly "in the dugout," so to speak.

    The bottom line, for me, is this: I'm sure Colvin and Quade aren't as innocent as they'd like us to believe, but it's harder to question them when the ejecting umpire has shown himself to aggressively deal with any perceived problem with a call.

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  15. Just a quick question; If you are so adamant about defending Bob, why sign in as anonymous?

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  16. The honestly the most measured I've seen Quade this year when he's arguing a call. He must have said something Bob didn't like as he was turning away but Bob's gotta realize how bad that hook looks when the manager isn't even talking to you anymore.

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  17. Everyone agrees that the the pitch was close enough to be called a strike, but you can't eject a player for being angry for striking out. He walked away and was yelling at himself. They quade came out and got tossed too. Both of them had stopped talking and their mouths were shut by the time they were tossed. If it takes you that long to process what they said, that they are gone and done arguing before decide they need to be tossed, it can't have been that bad.

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  18. I would really like to know if the # of Ejections an Umpire has plays a part in whether or not they get a Post Season assignment??

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  19. Although MLB doesn't especially release their specific criteria for choosing Post Season assignments, we can still look back at the past few years and see if we can spot any trends regarding these assignments (up to 30th place)...

    2010 Post Season Umpires by Reg. Season Ejection Count
    DS: Paul Emmel (7) - 3rd Overall {+1 Ejection Post Season = 8}
    CS: Angel Hernandez (6) - 6th Overall
    DS: Hunter Wendelstedt (5) - 9th Overall {+1 Ejection Post Season = 6}
    DS: Tim Welke -cc (4) - 12th Overall
    CS: Jeff Nelson (4) - 16th Overall
    DS: Greg Gibson (4) - 17th Overall
    DS, WS: John Hirschbeck -cc/-cc (4) - 22nd Overall
    DS: Chris Guccione (3) - 27th Overall
    DS: Gary Darling (3) - 29th Overall
    DS, WS: Sam Holbrook (3) - 30th Overall

    2009 Post Season Umpires by Reg. Season Ejection Count
    DS: Eric Cooper (7) - 2nd Overall
    DS: Bob Davidson (7) - 3rd Overall
    DS, WS: Joe West -cc/ (6) - 5th Overall
    DS: Greg Gibson (5) - 8th Overall
    DS: Ed Rapuano (4) - 11th Overall
    DS: Mark Wegner (4) - 12th Overall
    DS: Angel Hernandez (4) - 14th Overall
    DS: Paul Emmel (3) - 19th Overall
    DS, WS: Mike Everitt (3) - 21st Overall
    DS: Jim Joyce (3) - 22nd Overall
    CS: Dale Scott (2) - 27th Overall
    DS: Brian O'Nora (2) - 28th Overall
    DS, WS: Brian Gorman (2) - 29th Overall
    CS: Tom Hallion (2) - 30th Overall

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  20. Bob may have issues, but Quade is a tool. He is not long for the bigs. His next job will be AA bench coach somewhere. He hasn't even figured out how to argue yet, and it cracks me up seeing the looks on the faces of Cousins, Balkin' Bob, etc. when Quade comes out.

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  21. I am not attacking Bob as a person but as an umpire. His judgement is skewed by the size of his ego. I think he has been average umpire but his quality of work has dwindled every time he has taken the field this year. I was following the gameday on mlb of this game last night and he missed at least 4 pitches in the bottom of the 9th alone. Missed a clear strike against Derek Lee and called the same pitch against alvarez a ball twice and a strike twice. I just feel like he has lost his concentration and passion. You have to know that ejecting a player and a manager with their backs to you is going to look bad. I do not disagree with the call. The ejections, however, were very egregious. Colvin was clearly walking away. He was upset but he did not try show Davidson up. I probably would have gotten Quade for the counting on his fingers, but dump him then. Do not allow him to start back toward the dugout before doing it. I think Davidson is past his prime and would better off if he retire now rather than continue this downward progression that he has been on. Like I said before, not attacking him as a person, I do not know him, but have seen him work several times this and he seems to have a lack of focus and desire. I even defended his interference call in Toronto earlier this year but he just keeps getting worse.

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  22. Opinions are like................Blah, Blah.

    Evey body knows the old saying.
    However, each opinion doesn't carry the same weight. If I asked my barber about my car problems, or I asked my mechanic about my car, who's opinion should I take more seriously?

    Same thing is happening to Bob.

    It's nice all of you have your opinions, and all of you know more baseball than an MLB umpire, but most posts (opinions) don't carry much weight in my book.
    Your inability to grasp the fundamentals of umpiring, is only exceeded by your inaccurate factual statements.
    I see envoy and jealousy must be the soup of the day for all the Bob Haters.
    While you will continue to be biased with your poison pens, Bob will continue to live the dream. It's a dream you will live over and over again yourself, Why Bob? Why not me?

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  23. "Davidson.... -facepalm- Honestly, I think he's a member of this website in disguise. He owns himself and thus ejects as many people as he can to win the title."

    This post was hilarious. Furthermore, whether the eject was deserved or not, Bob looked bad on both. You don't throw somebody with their back to you. Same old Bob...and I still think he needs to shave!

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  24. Good umpires do make bad calls (Gasp!)

    I seen Michael Jordan miss a layup. After Mike missed the shot, I immediately formed the opinion, that Mike was a bad player. I mean how can he miss an easy shot like that? I also called for Mike to retire after the game, so he didn't embarrass himself or the game any further.

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  25. Great ejections here by Bob. Colvin definitely said something personal as he likes to blame others for his .150 average. Quade of course just likes to get personal as he did with Dan, Derryl, Paul, and Alfonso.

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  26. Nobody knows what was said as the back was turned. I have had those comments when a coach or player turns his back that you just can't let go, I'm sure others have also. I'm no huge umpire apologist but unless you're there...

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  27. You can't tell what Colvin said or did on the video, but he said something to get Bob's attention.

    I have no problem with Quade's ejection. Bob walked away from him after Quade started counting calls on his hand. (Don't all of you umpire bashers always want umpires to walk away?) After Bob walked away, Quade followed him and said something else, and then said something right as he turned around to walk away, which is obviously what got him dumped. I love how people think that players and coaches can say anything they want, as long as the rest of the stadium can't hear it, and umpires are just supposed to take it. Give me a break.

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  28. Ditto Zac....I'm not a big Bob Davidson fan but many of the "suggestions" above are made by people who wouldn't know the first thing about ej's and handling situations. Players and coaches are rats....period.

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