Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Umpire Storylines for MLB's 60-Game 2020 Season

As MLB's plans for a 60-game season for 2020 proceed, we preview the umpire storylines for the abbreviated baseball year from July through the fall's World Series.

Will umpiring crews follow the list crafted prior to the season or will umps be regionally based, given umpires' vulnerability and exposure whilst traveling via commercial aviation? What happens to the new crew chiefs?
Related2020 MLB Umpire Crews (5/6/20).
Promotions: Danley / Iassogna / Marquez / Reynolds.

What rules changes should we expect, such as a pitcher's batter minimum or replay challenge time limit?
RelatedMLB's 2020 Rules (2/13/20).

Who's hurt and what would happen if an umpire were to test positive for the COVID-19 virus?

Will any umpires enter the 2020 season with a suspension or other discipline?
RelatedRob Drake's Twitter War (10/24/19).

Will Gerry Davis and/or Joe West achieve milestones and subsequently retire after the season?

What happens to Angel Hernandez's lawsuit against MLB in which the league claimed a "total absence of any evidence" of diversity issues? What of Randy Marsh?
RelatedRich Garcia 'Fed Up' Following Marsh Testimony (5/19/20).

Video as follows: