Saturday, June 2, 2012

Ejection 059: Tim McClelland (1)

HP Umpire Tim McClelland ejected Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba for arguing a safe call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Rangers-Angels game. With one out and three on, Angels batter Kendrys Morales hit a 2-0 fastball from Rangers pitcher Koji Uehara to right fielder Nelson Cruz, who threw to catcher Torrealba as baserunner Mike Trout attempted to score from third base on the sacrifice fly. Replays indicate Trout's foot contacted home plate scarcely prior to Torrealba's tag contacting Trout's person, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 3-1.

This is Tim McClelland (36)'s first ejection of 2012.
Tim McClelland now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Tim McClelland now has 2 points in the UEFL's Crew division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 59th ejection of 2012.
This is the 22nd player ejection of 2012.
This is Yorvit Torrealba's first ejection since his ejection by Venezuelan League Umpire Dario Rivero, Jr. in December. Torrealba was suspended by the Winter League for subsequently battering Rivero, Jr. by throwing an open hand slap at Rivero, Jr.'s face mask. MLB declined supplemental discipline.
This is Tim McClelland's first ejection since September 25, 2011.
This is the Texas Rangers' second ejection of 2012 and fourth ejection overall today.

49 comments :

Jon Terry said...

You said in the first line that he was ejected over balls and strikes, not a play at the plate.

constable said...

arguing a SAFE call, not a strike call!!!

Anonymous said...

? It says safe for me...

SJR said...

For being such a close play, McClelland didn't really sell it in my opinion. The safe sign looked quite lackadaisical to me, but then again he's not really that emphatic about any of his calls. Doesn't change the fact he's a damn good umpire.

Anonymous said...

This was his sell call. That is as emphatic as McClelland gets. I love it, and what a great call. Very close

Anonymous said...

First non Joe Girardi ejectio for McClelland since Nyjer Morgan in 2009. Funy enough Girardi was actually ejected Today also.

Anonymous said...

McClelland is so emotionally baseline, it's wonderful. THE most mild-mannered umpire in all of major league baseball throws out possibly the most volatile catcher in the game, who has already assaulted an umpire just a few months ago. Very calm, no yelling and keeps Ron Washington in the game. Good umpire.

James said...

I'm curious because they mentioned Albert Pujols tried to go from first to second base as one of the umpires called time. Did play resume with Pujols on first or second?

Anonymous said...

It appears both Alberto Callaspo (R2) and Albert Pujols (R1) were forced to return to 2nd and 1st. Not sure who called time, it certainly doesn't look like it was McClelland.

Sean said...

And finally an announcer who doesn't just go hawk the homer cause his player got tossed. He was smart enough to admit that was to close to call and an out would have gotten the other team's manager to argue as well.

JPINFV said...

I'll admit that the [California] Angels is my team, but why was time called again? If Torrealba wants to give us a free base because he's throwing a hissy fit, then I'm perfectly fine with that.

Big Marc said...

@SJR,

Your opinion that Tim used a mild mechanic on this play, and didn't really sell the out is followed by the fact that Tim is a good umpire and usually delays on every call.
Your insight has given me food for thought, and has greatly added to this thread. Your post has given clarity to this rule. Thanks.

Steve Ungrey said...

When I saw it was Tim McClelland, I immediately wondered if Yorvit had a beef. I don't have much good to say about many umpires in the game, but Tim's a good, solid ump.

Anonymous said...

If Tim is throwing someone out of the game, you know something huge happened. And with Torrealba, that was an epic-sized tantrum. Like a little kid who got his chocolate cake taken away.

Unknown said...

Seems no one else noticed the ball was in his right hand and not the glove. Tim didn't rush the call and it appears he looked right at the ball and then called safe. Good mechanic and nice timing.
Also good toss of an proven ass of a player.

Anonymous said...

obviously he deserved to be tossed but i dont think he called him safe because of where the ball was, as in glove or hand...

Anonymous said...

Did anyone notice that Trout left third before the ball had been caught in right?

Jay said...

I belive this play occured shortly after Erick Aybar leapt over/past a liner hit to short that Elvis Andrus completely gave up on. He fielded the ball on a hop and just stopped playing, he pointed to Aybar and jumped, trying to get Ted Barrett to call Aybar out for being hit by the batted ball. Barrett deferred to Marvin Hudson, who said it didn't hit him.

Replays show it clearly missed Aybar, entirely. No clue what Andrus was thinking.

Anonymous said...

Looked like Torrealba was also upset about the 1-0 pitch called ball too. It was clearly outside, but Yorvit held the glove there and said something to McClelland about it. The very next pitch was the Morales sacrifice fly.

Anonymous said...

@Unknown, interesting observation, very astute too. Torrealba indeed places his right hand on top of the glove, but never actually puts the ball in the glove. Rule 2.00 tag says the fielder must "hold the ball firmly in his glove," which Torrealba clearly does not do. IF McClelland made his safe call based on that rationale alone, that's awesome. Still, I think he called the bang-bang play the way he saw it, which looked pretty right to me.

Actually, the Angels broadcasters discussed the exact same thing, Victor Rojas saying that "I can't imagine Tim McClelland would be able to see the ball not in the glove"

Dan said...

I think McClelland made the right call, but I'm just curious about his positioning on the play. Seemed like he was standing a lot further away from the plate compared to most umpires when there's a play at the plate. Most umpires are usually in the dirt, not back in the grass where McClelland was.

I'm just curious where umpires are taught to be positioned on a play at the plate, or if that is something that is different for each person depending on your preference?

Anonymous said...

If you are going to quote rules you shouldn't selectively edit them to try to help your point.

"or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his HAND or glove."

I am certain alot of catchers would be shocked to know they can't hold the ball in their glove with their hand and make a legal tag.

Close plays in the field overwhelmingly go to the defense. Great throw beats runner by six feet and tag then applied equals out.

Cricket said...

I don't see this as being that close of a play. The tag appears to be on the back side of the leg (granted, the replay angles offered are not great), after the runner's foot and calf have completely crossed the plate. Based on McClelland's positioning and the call, I am assuming this is correct.

Torrealba's reaction is priceless.

SJR said...

Tim McClelland as quoted from an MLB article found here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_06_02_texmlb_anamlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=ana

"I thought Trout's foot hit plate before Torrealba tagged him," McClelland said.

tmac said...

this is not going to be a popular post so don't read if you're blind to the facts of this play.

1st off after watching this play a dozen or so times with slow motion it is nearly impossible to tell if A) the runner was tagged before he touched the plate B) the catcher had possession with the ball in his glove upon contacting the runner with the tag or C) whether McClellend saw any of it

The video shows the umpire moving as the tag is being applied and it appears he may have been straightlined. He was still moving clearly processing then with excellent timing deduces a safe. Whether you think the call is right or wrong the FACT that he isn't still and gives himself a poor angle proves this call can be no better then a guess. There was just no way for McCellend to see where the tag was applied in relation to where the foot was unless he has X-ray vision.

Here are two things i do know. The era of catchers not blocking the plate makes things so much more dificult for umpires. This should be a cut and dry call and there should be a collision in old school baseball. The catcher going to get the ball and everything exploding at the plate at the same time does NOT make this easy. Also it would have helped if McClellend could have read the play a little better and gotten to 3rd base extended in order to improve his angle. IN doing so you must read your catcher the throw.

That all being said... Let's all cherish the final year of one of the great ones and hope he goes right into MLB to teach umpires how to handle situations and the philosophy of the strike zone!

Anonymous said...

tmac,

Do you have inside info that McClelland is retiring? If he is retiring who do you think will get his spot as well as who do you think deserves the spot?

UmpsRule said...

Did McClelland already announce he will retire?

SJR said...

@tmac: Even if you think your post will not be popular, you stated your opinion and you did so civilly.

Anyone see any statements made by Torrealba about the play? I can't find any on MLB.com or espn.com I'd be interested to hear in his own words why he decided to implode after McClelland's call.

Anonymous said...

I found this article, which states McClelland is considering retirement, but nothing official yet:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120508/SPORTS/120508030/Retirement-looming-Iowa-umpire-Tim-McClelland-

Anonymous said...

I can say personally thay I know Tim and after last year he considered retiring after the end of last year because of his bad knees. But since the start of this year his knees have been feeling better and he is wanting to go at least one more year (2013) get 30 years in in the major.

DR73 said...

@tmac

I agree with most of your post and granted he was moving, but please explain to me how he had a poor angle. He WAS hird base line extended. A degree here or there is just nitpicking. Where he saw the play from doesn't appear to require x-ray vision at-all, especially keeping in mind that Tim is 6'6 and all.

Anonymous said...

It seems like this year, when players feel a call goes against them, they go from 0 to 60 in record time. Torrealba is an embarrassment to his team. That kind of reaction has no place in professional baseball. He should be suspended immediately. These managers need to realize their job is to get the player away first, then discuss the play with the umpire. If actions like this continue I would love to see the umpires band together and enforce what's written in the rule book.......no questioning judgement calls. Give it two days and lets see what happens. It would be kaos but damn would it be entertaining to watch!

Anonymous said...

MLB should have suspended Torrealba when they had the chance this offseason.

tmac said...

@dr73

this is a very interesting point you make.. it is in my judgement from watching the multiple replays that i don't believe he could have seen the tag when applied.... I think he was a little too deep when he started to move into 3rd base line extended.... It's just a matter of opinion but watching where he was at the point of the tag and even being 6'6 may not have helped.

@anon7:27.. i think the fact that he has swayed back now that he may go for 30 as you say is interesting.... It tells me he hasn't made up his mind to hang em up.... But it also tells me it is on his mind.

Big Marc said...
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Big Marc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dave D said...

@tmac: I agree with your assessment as well, as I thought much the same thing. I'm less worried about the distance back (although I do think it was a bit far), but from my stop/start review of the video, I think McClelland was blocked out of the play on the tag itself and by the time he was in a position to see it, it was already over.

Specifically, if you use a start/stop on the video - on the back half of :08, you see McClelland still on to the left of the plate 3BLE. As the ball comes in he's still moving and hasn't seen the ball into the mitt. At :09 he clears the plate and is now to the right of 3BLE where he makes the call still on the move. I don't think he ever really sees this play fully.

I like Tim Mc, have used his style and demeanor as a study guide, and I think the ejection was handled perfectly and well warranted. I also appreciate him keeping Washington in the game because I could see that being a short day for Washington as well. I'm a bit disappointed that he was on the move on this call and appeared to never stop moving, vs. an 'adjusted' look from a set position, but it is what it is.

Anonymous said...

I understand why is it so important to keep managers and players in the game, but if they deserve to go they should go. I was shocked to hear Russell Martin call Laz a dick. By leaving him in the game and having the exchange go public makes it harder for me to do my job. There has to be standards and when they are not met an ejection must follow. I like that McClelland has a long fuse but I find it demeaning when posters applaud an umpire for not ejecting.

UmpsRule said...

I agree that it might be a good statement if the umpires started to call everything strictly by the rule book. I can imagine there would be an incredible uproar, coming from many of the same people who gripe about some of the current lax rules enforcements. And that's not even mentioning all the ejections there would be.

Troy said...

Washington says McClelland told him the EJ was for an equipment violation. Torrealba didn't even realize he had been tossed. I guess he was too busy jumping around like a 3-year old to see Tim toss him.

Jon Terry said...

Oh, where to start?

First, McClelland's position was not the best. He didn't move to a better angle quickly enough to be able to be set for the call. Doesn't make the call wrong, just harder to defend. His depth is likely a position to see both the catch and the tag-up, much like many of us who work two-man would have to. But he just didn't hurry to a better position.

Second, I don't have a problem with his mechanic. Did he safe it multiple times? No. Did he jump in and point at the plate like many others? No. But his signal was well-timed and very clear. I saw no hesitation or unsureness.

Third, I would believe the equipment angle. Torrealba clearly throws his mask down as he starts jumping. Not entirely sure why he wore it through the play, or why he needed it off to act like a child.

Fourth, I'm sure the reason the umpires called time is because Washington ran onto the field. There isn't a video angle to support my contention, but there's no way they let the runners continue while a manager comes out and argues with an umpire. In my book, however, interrupting the play like this is one more reason to run Wash.

I also can't find the baseball after Torrealba tosses his mask. Did he get it into his glove somehow? I don't see it anywhere on the ground.

McClelland's demeanor is perfect. I wonder if he even raised his voice. His height and his reputation certainly help, but this is what umpires should look like. Maybe he needs to spend some time with Bob Davidson.

Anonymous said...

@ Jon Terry

If you honestly don't have any idea why Torrealba left his mask on, you probably have no business critiquing MLB umpires.

Jon Terry said...

Hey moron who doesn't bother to sign in . . .

Every coach I know tells his players to lose the mask the second the ball is hit. Therefor, I don't know why Torrealba kept his mask on. If there is a different standard at the MLB level, then I wouldn't know that because I don't work there.

Seems to me most of the people with no business here are the ANONYMOUS posters filling the board up with clearly biased, anti-umpire, and often illiterate posts.

But please, criticize me more. I'm sure it made your day brighter.

Anonymous said...

i've seen many plays at the plate at the professional level, and could probably count on one hand how many times the catch took his mask/helmet off.....so your theory of every 'coach' telling his players that might only apply to amature ball.

Anonymous said...

In leagues where you can crash the catcher they leave their helmet on for plays at the plate.

OSheaman said...

Kudos for the Texans announcing crew for being objective about the play and as fair as they can be after watching the replays. It's a little depressing that the level-headed announcing stands out in this miserable season but credit where credit is due.

Anonymous said...

Then why are you here?

DR73 said...

@tmac

Please excuse me for not signing in and ruining your day. My post however, was not biased or anti-umpire, and certainly wasn't illiterate. I'm sorry you didn't know what you were talking about, but I don't see why I should back my point up now, as two other (horrifyingly enough) anonymous posters have done that for me.

DR73 said...

That wasn't for @tmac that was for @JonTerry

sorry tmac.

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