Culbreth & Danley Round Out Retirements (Joining Davis, Gorman & West), with Diaz, Gibson, Hudson, Kulpa, and Welke Promoted to Crew Chief

Major League Baseball announced its final umpire staff changes for 2022, with Fieldin Culbreth and Kerwin Danley retiring alongside Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman, and Joe West. Crew Chief promotions and new full-time umpires hires were also announced.

MLB's official announcement confirms the hiring of Ryan Additon, Sean Barber, John Libka, Ben May, and Roberto Ortiz to the full-time staff. The new-hires have worked the following numbers of MLB games prior to 2022:

> Additon: 381 major league games.

> Barber: 693.

> Libka: 371.

> May: 658.

> Ortiz: 412.

Retiring umpires are Culbreth, Danley, Davis, Gorman, and West. They retire with the following experience:

> Culbreth: 29 years, 3140 regular season. 1 Wild Card, 8 Division, 7 Lg Champ, 3 World Series.

> Danley: 30 years, 2656 regular season. 1 Wild Card, 7 Division, 2 Lg Champ, 2 World Series.

> Davis: 40 years, 4849 regular season (5k overall). 3 WC, 13 DS, 11 LCS, 6 World Series.

> Gorman: 31 years, 3430 regular season. 1 WC, 10 DS, 7 LCS, 3 World Series.

> West: 44 years, 5460 regular season. 4 WC, 8 DS, 10 LCS, 6 World Series.

West retires as the umpire with the most games officiated in MLB history; Gerry Davis has the fourth-most all-time. Davis retires with the second-most League Championship Series officiated with 11 (Jerry Crawford 12), and Joe West with the third-most (10). Davis has the most Division Series officiated with 13 and Brian Gorman has the 6th-most. Gerry Davis has the most postseason games in MLB history (151) and Joe West is second (132, presently tied with Ted Barrett).

Promoted to crew chief to fill the five retirements are Laz Diaz, Greg Gibson, Marvin Hudson, Ron Kulpa, and Bill Welke. Of that list, Diaz, Hudson, Kulpa, and Welke served as interim crew chiefs for MLB's COVID-shortened 2020 season (Greg Gibson opted out).

Related Post: MLB Names 7 Interim Crew Chiefs for 2020 (7/23/20).

Gerry Davis Retires After Umpiring 5,000th Game

Gerry Davis, MLB's second senior-most umpire, retired after officiating his 5,000th career major league game during Sunday afternoon's Cubs-Cardinals regular season finale. Born in St Louis, Davis began his professional career in the National League on June 9, 1982, and 40 years later retires from baseball with the most all-time postseason games ever officiated.

Davis' postseason resume of 26 years includes three Wild Card Games, 13 Division Series, 11 League Championship Series, and six World Series. Davis has served as a major league umpire long enough to eject Brad Ausmus both as a player in 1994 and as a manager in 2015.

After opting out of MLB's COVID 2020 season, Davis delayed his 2021 debut, needing just 43 games to achieve the 5,000 milestone. After joining all-time games worked leader Joe West's crew to work one last time with the Blue Cowboy several days prior, Davis sat out Friday and Saturday's games, needing just one game to reach 5,000—Sunday's.

MLBUA Downplays West as Joe Adds New COVID Claims

With Joe West adding fuel to the fire with new claims about COVID-19, the Major League Baseball Umpires Association (@MLBUA) issued a statement downplaying West's comments, as fellow senior umpire Gerry Davis explained his reason for opting out of the 2020 season.

Recent public comments about the Coronavirus pandemic do not in any way reflect the position of the Major League Baseball Umpires Association.

So what happened?

Speaking with USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Wednesday, West added to Tuesday's comments to The Athletic with the following claims about the novel coronavirus: "statistics aren't accurate, I don't care who's counting them...our system is so messed up they have emptied hospitals because there's no elective surgery. The government has been giving these hospitals extra money if someone dies of the coronavirus. So everybody that dies is because of coronavirus. I don't care if you get hit by a car, it's coronavirus."
Related Post: Joe West Opts In, Several Crew Chiefs Out for 2020 (7/7/20).

COVID-19 payments were to cover costs.

Sidebar: We often receive similar criticism regarding the accuracy of statistics when pointing out that umpires are 97.5%+ accurate behind home plate and 99.5%+ overall.

The New England Journal of Medicine wrote in June that hospitals have been kept largely empty and cancelled elective procedures in anticipation of and to make room for COVID-19 patients and admission surges.

As for payments to hospitals—a 20% add-on for Medicare COVID-19 patients as authorized by the federal CARES Act—a USA Today fact check, first published in April, indicated the following: "We rate the claim that hospitals get paid more if patients are listed as COVID-19 and on ventilators as TRUE," but also found, "there have been no public reports that hospitals are exaggerating COVID-19 numbers to receive higher Medicare payments" and that the Medicare add-on was meant to "cover the cost of care and loss of business resulting from a shift in focus to treat [more expensive] COVID-19 cases."

With recent hospitalization spikes in Arizona, Florida, and other states, many medical facilities have recently reported a shortage of beds: on Wednesday, 56 hospitals in Florida reported their ICUs were at capacity.

Tara has asked for a stop to the fake news.

Nonetheless, West, speaking from his home in Florida referenced a famous death to support his claim that coronavirus deaths were overblown, "When country music [singer] Joe Diffie died, they said he died of the coronavirus. He had Stage 4 lung cancer. The coronavirus may have accelerated his death, but let's be realistic."

After Diffie passed away in April, his widow Tara spoke out about rumors he had cancer: "My husband Joe Diffie did NOT HAVE LUNG CANCER. his father passed, same name, November 2018 to stage IV lung cancer. STOP STARTING FAKE NEWS. I’ve seen multiple posts and it’s upsetting to all of us."

West, for the record, did previously have cancer, which led to a most unusual friendship with Hawk Harrelson dating back to 2013. The Moffitt Cancer Center writes, "While cancer survivors may not be at higher risk for COVID-19, emerging research does show if they develop the disease they are more likely to have complications and have to be hospitalized than those who have never had cancer."
Related Post: Harrelson's Ballad of Cowboy Joe West and The Hawk (1/7/17).

By Thursday, the umpires' union, MLBUA, released a statement seeking to put some distance from West's comments (West is a former president of MLBUA): "Recent public comments about the Coronavirus pandemic do not in any way reflect the position of the Major League Baseball Umpires Association...Regardless of any umpire's personal views, when we report for a resumed spring training and 2020 season, we will conduct ourselves as professionals and in accordance with the health and safety protocols."

Gerry Davis opted out: "I couldn't risk [it]."

Meanwhile, MLB's other senior-most umpire Gerry Davis, who like West is 67 years old, took a decidedly different approach than West and explained his decision to opt-out: "It was really not that tough of a decision for me...I can’t beat on my chest and say nothing is going to happen to me. My doctors told me I don’t have a higher risk of catching it, but higher implications from catching it. Eight of 10 people who have died from it have been over 65 or had pre-existing conditions."

Davis, who disclosed he has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, brought the conversation back to his personal life and the deciding factor that made his opting out an easy call: "We have three young grandchildren. I couldn’t risk taking anything back to my family."

Video as follows:

Is This Gerry Davis & Joe West's Final Season?

Is this it for senior-most MLB umpires Gerry Davis and Joe West? Davis told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he has informed Major League Baseball 2020 will likely be his final season...that is, if it ever gets played. Both veteran crew chiefs are chasing umpiring milestones: Bill Klem's all-time games umpired record for West and 5,000 career games for Davis.

While Davis explained that, under normal circumstances, the 2020 season would be his last, he also left the door open to returning to the field in 2021 in the event that he is unable to crack the 5,000-games mark in 2020: he might even make his 5,000th game his last.

West trails only Hall of Fame Umpire Bill Klem in all-time regular season games officiated, and seems unlikely to retire until earning the all-time top spot...perhaps even longer. In court documents, West indicated 2021 would be his final MLB season.

And, realistically, how much of a let-down would it be to see either legendary umpire without a proper celebration in stadiums full of fans: As Davis quipped in his Post article, he might achieve the 5,000-mark during a game at a neutral site without fans. That's not what a 5,000-gamer (or in West's case, the #1 all-time games worked leader) deserves.

Even our friend Bob Davidson got a shoutout via the Angel Stadium public address in his final game.

With both Davis and West less than 100 games each from accomplishing their varied goals (Davis needs 43 more games to get 5,000 while West needs 60 for his goal of 5,370 career regular season games officiated [per MLB; it's 5,375 according to Retrosheet]) and the Minor Leagues reportedly ready to contract and eliminate many lower-league teams (thus, umpiring jobs), the baseball landscape appears poised for a change upon sports' eventual post-COVID resumption.

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Gerry Davis Rocked Out of Game

Gerry Davis exited Thursday's matinee assignment in Colorado after a foul ball knocked his mask off.

During Thursday afternoon's Cardinals-Rockies game, Rockies batter Josh Fuentes fouled a 92-mph 1-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas into the lower jaw portion of Davis' traditional-style facemask. Davis immediately exited the game following a visit from the Rockies training staff.

1B Umpire Brennan Miller took over for Davis calling balls and strikes with 2B Umpire Brian Knight assuming Crew Chief duties and sliding to first base with 3B Umpire Pat Hoberg at third.

Relevant Injury History: There is no recent relevant head injury history.

Last Game: September 12 | Return to Play: Sept 13 | Time Absent: Rest of Game | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Minnesota Heat Ills Gerry Davis

HP Umpire Gerry Davis left Sunday's Rangers-Twins game in Minnesota for a reportedly heat-related reason.

Davis left the game after the conclusion of the seventh inning. Game-time weather at Target Field was listed as 81 degrees and partly cloudy; local reports indicated humidity was 57%.

1B Umpire Brian Knight took over behind home plate and assumed acting Crew Chief duties with 2B Umpire Brennan Miller shifting to first base and 3B Umpire Pat Hoberg remaining on the left field line. Miller had already worked a plate earlier during the Rangers-Twins series, which may have contributed to the decision to grant Knight the assignment.

Relevant Injury History: There is a relevant history of heat-related illness for Gerry Davis.
> On July 26, 2018, Davis left his assignment in Anaheim due to the Southern Californian heat.
Related Post: Injury Scout - SoCal Heat Wave Finds Gerry Davis in LA

Last Game: July 7 | Return to Play: July 12 | Time Absent: 4 Days [ASG] | Video as follows:

Milestone - Umpire Gerry Davis is 4th All-Time

38-year MLB umpire Gerry Davis achieved a milestone when he tied, now surpassed, Tom Connolly on the most games umpired in the history of Major League Baseball list. By officiating career game 4,771, Davis holds the #4 spot on the all-time most MLB regular season games umpired list.

Davis was joined for Tuesday's Reds-Angels game in Anaheim by umpires Kerwin Danley, Pat Hoberg, and Ramon De Jesus. Former MLB umpire Dale Scott was also in attendance for Angel Stadium's inaugural Pride Night, and Danley ejected two Reds during the contest, his first ejections since 2016. The Angels recognized Davis during the game.
Related Post: MLB Ejections 104-5 - Kerwin Danley (1-2; CIN) (6/25/19).

Davis now occupies fourth place on the all-time regular season games worked list behind #3 Bruce Froemming (5,163), #2 Joe West (~5,250 and counting), and #1 Bill Klem (5,375). West, MLB's longest tenured umpire and still actively officiating, hopes to surpass Klem's record sometime during the 2020 season. Davis surpasses #5 Connolly (4,770), having previously leapfrogged #6 Doug Harvey (4,673), #7 Joe Brinkman (4,505), #8 Harry Wendelstedt (4,500), #9 Derryl Cousins (4,496), and #10 Mike Reilly (4,491).

Klem, Connolly, and Harvey were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gerry Davis holds the MLB all-time record for most postseason games umpired (151), with West in second place (128), and Froemming tied with Jerry Crawford for third (111). Davis has officiated 31 World Series games, second on the active list to West's 34 (#1 all time: Bill Klem [103], followed by #2 Cy Rigler [62] and #3 Hank O'Day [57]).

Davis, who first joined the Major League staff in 1984 as a National League umpire is also MLB's longest-tenured active crew chief, promoting to the leadership role in 1999. He has officiated four All-Star Games (1989, 97, 2002, 12), three Wild Card Games (2013-14, 18), 13 Division Series (1996, 99, 2002-04, 06-09, 11-12, 15, 17), 11 Championship Series (1990, 92, 95, 98, 2000-01, 05, 10, 13-14, 18), and six World Series (1996, 99, 2004, 09, 12, 17).
Related Page: UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Gerry Davis.

Davis was named the UEFL Crew Chief of the Year in 2011, Umpire of the Year in 2012, and his ejection of Adrian Beltre related to the on-deck circle was the UEFL Ejection of the Year in 2017.

SIDEBAR: During our Podcast with Bob Davidson, we learned the allure of officiating milestone games at Angel Stadium (and why some NHL officials choose Anaheim for their milestones, as well). In Bob's case, his 2016 retirement game in Anaheim afforded the family an opportunity to vacation at Disneyland, located less than 5 miles from the ballpark. For Davis, a nearby Huntington Beach residence with the Santa Ana branch of Gerry Davis Sports nearby doesn't hurt, either.

Injury Scout - SoCal Heat Wave Finds Gerry Davis in LA

With temperatures and humidity clashing near Los Angeles, this week's Southern California heat wave found Gerry Davis during a day game at Angel Stadium, the veteran MLB umpire and crew chief leaving his afternoon assignment in Anaheim due to dizziness.

Gerry Davis left early during a hot SoCal day.

At the conclusion of the 6th inning of Thursday's White Sox-Angels game, HP Umpire Davis exited the field and was replaced by 2B Pat Hoberg, leaving 1B Umpire Ryan Additon and 3B Umpire Brian Knight in the field for the contest's remaining two-and-a-half innings (the home team won).

How hot was it? Officially listed in the box score as 84-degrees at first pitch, temperatures at Angel Stadium climbed toward 90-degrees (Fahrenheit) with humidity upwards of 60%, but with sunny conditions, the field must have been so hot that Davis was seen wearing MLB umpiring's "hot weather" blue polo along with a wet towel on his neck—a look rarely seen on the 37-year big league vet.

Sidebar: We almost lost a second umpire in this game. Coming out of the tunnel, replacement plate umpire Hoberg hit his head on the low doorway/bar headed to the playing field. Thank goodness it's padded.

Relevant Injury History: N/A.

Last Game: July 26 | Return to Play: July 30 | Time Absent: 3 Days | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 083 - Gerry Davis (2; Tim Anderson)

2B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected White Sox SS Tim Anderson (Replay Review decision that confirmed Davis' out call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 11th inning of the Twins-White Sox game. With one out and one on (R1), White Sox batter Charlie Tilson struck out swinging on a 1-2 fastball from Twins pitcher Taylor Rogers as catcher Bobby Wilson threw to shortstop Ehire Adrianza to retire White Sox baserunner R1 Anderson attempting to steal second, affirmed following a Crew Chief Review. Replays indicate Adrianza appeared to tag Anderson prior to Anderson's arrival at second base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 13 innings.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s second ejection of 2018.
Gerry Davis now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 83rd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 42nd player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Anderson was 2-4 in the contest.
This is Chicago-AL's 3rd ejection of 2018, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, DET, KC 3; MIN 2; CLE 1).
This is Tim Anderson's first ejection since June 23, 2017 (Jim Wolf; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).
This is Gerry Davis' 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 27 (Gene Glynn; QOC = U [Balk No-Call]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, 6/28/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 081-82 - Davis, Hoberg (1, 3; Glynn, Molitor)

3B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Twins 3B Coach Gene Glynn (balk no-call; QOCU) and HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected Twins Manager Paul Molitor (reversed balk call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the Twins-White Sox game. With two out and none on, Davis ejected Glynn for continuing to argue a balk no-call in the top of the 5th inning, the call was irrecusable. Shortly thereafter, with Max Kepler at bat, White Sox pitcher James Shields attempted to disengage the rubber and fake to first, wheel, and fake to third. Replays indicate Shields executed a so-called jump turn pickoff move while in continuous and uninterrupted motion as he feigned to first base; this feint from the rubber is a balk pursuant to OBR 6.02(a)(2), Hoberg's original balk call was correct and the reversal was incorrect.* Play was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (6-2-1), the call was incorrect. At the time of both ejections, the White Sox were leading, 4-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Pat Hoberg (31)'s third ejection of 2018.
This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first ejection of 2018.
Pat Hoberg now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 6).
Gerry Davis now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 8).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).

This simply suggests a continuous movement.

*Rule 6.02(a)(2) states, "It is a balk when the pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw."
*Rule 5.07(a)(2) states, "From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot."

Key Question: Is Shields considered to be "touching his plate" when he makes his move in feigning toward first? In general, moves made "from the rubber" include jab steps, jump turns (jump pivot), and spin moves. For instance, if a pitcher attempting a pickoff from a jump turn throws wildly into the stands, the runner would be awarded one base, as if the play was, physically, from the rubber.

This too suggests F1's move was continuous.

*MLBUM, concerning jump turns and pivots, states, "If a pitcher, while touching the pitcher's plate, jumps into the air with both feet simultaneously and his non-pivot foot lands in a step towards first base before he throws to that base, he has made a legal move." This interpretation establishes the move's legality, but the more relevant interpretation insofar as establishing when disengagement has occurred vs when a pitcher is considered to have made a move from the rubber is as follows:
"It is legal for a right-handed pitcher to begin a pickoff move to first base by first moving his pivot foot in the direction of third base provided that he makes a legal step toward first base with the non-pivot foot before throwing there and provided that the move is continuous and without interruption. A pitcher who makes such a pickoff move is considered to be in contact with the rubber when he makes his throw to first base."

This is the 81st, 82nd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 33rd Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Minnesota's 1/2nd ejection of 2018, T-3rd in the AL Central (DET, KC 3; CWS, MIN 2; CLE 1).
This is Gene Glynn's first ejection since August 7, 2001 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = U [Out/Safe]).
This is Paul Molitor's first ejection since September 3, 2017 (Marty Foster; QOC = N-C [Check Swing]).
This is Pat Hoberg's 3rd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 19 (Marwin Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since September 16, 2017 (Miguel Diaz; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, 6/27/18 | Video as follows:

Spring Replays - Right Where We Left Off

On October 31, 2017, the home town Dodgers unsuccessfully challenged Astros baserunner Josh Reddick's slide at second base, putting a confirmed cap on Replay Review for the year.

Crew Chief Gerry Davis signals an out.

On Monday, instant replay picked up right where it left off, with a Dodger Stadium review, this time from Angels Manager Mike Scioscia of 2B Umpire Gerry Davis' "no catch" call on a diving play by center fielder Mike Trout in the bottom of the 1st inning of the annual Spring Training Freeway Series in Southern California.

Both bookend replays turned against the boys in blue, as MLBAM HQ overturned Davis' ruling to award Trout with a double-saving effort, the two-minute review delay prompting broadcaster Victor Rojas to quip, "What are they looking at? It's ridiculous that it takes this long to overturn that call."

A neighborhood play is overturned at second.

In the top of the 7th inning, Anaheim (Los Angeles, formerly of Anaheim) again challenged a call up the middle, with Replay Review determining that Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux failed to legally tag second base before throwing on to first.

Fortunately, New York cut down on its review time for this non-neighborhood play, clocking in at 1:30.

MLB in 2017 announced a two-minute guideline for its replay officials in New York, noting that the guideline is not a hardline rule nor limit. Baseball did not announce any substantive changes to its review process for the 2018 season.
Related Post: 2017 Rules Mods, Including IBB Change, Announced (3/2/17).

Videos as follows:

Carter Capps - Back to Old Tricks or Just a Spring Thing?

Carter Capps pitched only 12 innings for the Padres in 2017, months after Major League Baseball added a rule barring his unorthodox pitching style in which Capps "crow hopped" or reset his pivot foot during delivery.

Umpires ruled no violation on Capps' delivery.

With San Diego opting to bring Capps in for relief during a Spring Training game, the Carter Capps crow hop is seemingly back, yet 1B Umpire Gerry Davis' crew didn't call any violation when Capps hop-stepped his way through a scoreless ninth on Tuesday against Chicago.

Replays indicate Capps' pivot foot, initially in contact with the pitcher's plate, appeared to step a second time toward home plate prior to Capps releasing the ball.

To review Capps' crow-hop history, MLB officially outlawed the pivot foot reset ahead of the 2017 season, adding the following language to Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a) Comment:
Related Post: 2017 Rules Mods, Including IBB Change, Announced (3/2/17).

The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b).

In 2017, Pacific Coast League Umpire Brett Terry ejected El Paso Chihuahuas Manager Rod Barajas for arguing an illegal pitch call 1B Umpire Terry had made on Capps, while HP Umpire JJ January ejected Capps himself after Capps' subsequent pitch wound up hitting the plate umpire.
Related Post: Carter Capps Throws Illegal Pitch, Ejected After Hitting Ump (6/26/17).

Yet, Capps was observed seemingly reseting his pivot foot during every delivery on Tuesday afternoon in Peoria. Has baseball suddenly reversed course on the so-called Carter Capps rule, are the rules more lax during Spring Training, or is Capps' move actually legal?

Video, diagramming Capps' delivery, including his second pivot step/reset, as follows:

2017 UEFL Award for Ejection of the Year - Gerry Davis

Gerry Davis had the Best Ejection of the Year for 2017 [2016: Joe West & Bob Davidson].
Voting Results (Top 4): Davis-109 (56%); Bellino-FAN/Cuzzi-117/Kulpa-001/Little-WBC6 (4%).

Award Winner: Gerry Davis.

In MLB Ejections 109-110 - Gerry Davis (1-2; Beltre, Banister), 2B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre for, essentially, moving the on-deck circle after being told to stay in the circle as the on-deck hitter. Late in a blowout game (the Marlins were leading Texas, 18-6), Davis walked from his position inside of second base toward the right field foul line and instructed on-deck batter Beltre to move from his position along the warning track behind the dirt circle to the batter's box between the dirt circle and dugout, pursuant to Rule 8.01(b) [authority to order a player to "do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules"]. Beltre heard Davis' instruction of "stay in the circle" differently, as Adrian picked up the circle itself and dragged it toward his preferred position closer to the backstop behind home plate. Davis then ejected Beltre for objecting to his order, as in Rule 8.01(d), and Manager Jeff Banister for arguing Beltre's ejection, prompting many commenters to declare the odd exchange as Ejection of the Year-worthy.

Gerry Davis now has 13 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (12 Previous + 1 Award = 13).
The final postseason award, (Best) Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

MLB Ejection 180 - Gerry Davis (3; Miguel Diaz)

HP Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Padres pitcher Miguel Diaz (throwing at Rockies batter DJ LeMahieu; QOCU) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Padres-Rockies game. With one out and none on, Diaz gave up two singles and a three-run home run to Charlie Blackmon before throwing two fastballs inside to ensuing batter LeMahieu, resulting in a bench-clearing incident after the second hit him. Replays indicate the HBP struck LeMahieu on the left arm, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 10-0. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 16-0.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 4).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 5).

This is the 180th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 81st player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Diaz's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, HR.
This is San Diego's 4th ejection of 2017, T-4th in the NL West (LAD 8; ARI, COL 5; SD, SF 4).
This is Miguel Diaz's first career MLB ejection.
This is Gerry Davis' 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since July 26 (Adrian Beltre; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies, 9/16/17 | Video as follows:

No Joke - Gerry Davis to Umpire Little League World Series

In a Not the Onion piece of news, MLB veteran umpire Gerry Davis will officiate the Little League World Series for the United States winner's bracket game on Sunday afternoon at 2pm Eastern Time.

Gerry Davis will work the 2017 LLWS.

Davis' equipment and uniform apparel company, Gerry Davis Sports, made the announcement Friday evening, specifying that as part of Major League Baseball's "MLB Little League Classic" between the Pirates and Cardinals on Sunday night in Williamsport, Davis will serve as the second base umpire for two innings during a Little League game before departing for his Major League assignment on Sunday Night Baseball, working the plate for the main event.

Fortunately for Davis, Little League uses a modified version of the Official Baseball Rules, which is the code used throughout professional baseball, so the transition from the big to little stage shouldn't be too jarring.

Davis' crew for the weekend's Cardinals @ Pirates series (playing in Pittsburgh, PA on Friday and Saturday) includes Tony Randazzo, Rob Drake, and Pat Hoberg.

MLB Ejections 109-110 - Gerry Davis (1-2; Beltre, Banister)

2B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre & Manager Jeff Banister (moving on-deck circle in defiance of order) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Marlins-Rangers game. With two out and the bases loaded, Rangers batter Nomar Mazara stepped to the plate and Beltre became the on-deck hitter. Replays indicate that Beltre assumed his position outside of the on-deck circle and closer to home plate in contravention of Official Baseball Rule Appendix 1, prompting 2B Umpire Davis to order Beltre into his on-deck circle pursuant to Rule 8.01, the call was irrecusable. After review, the Original Ruling has been affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0-0), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 18-6. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 22-10.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first, second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (-5 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = -1).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -5 points in Crew Division (-7 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Call = -5).

*Diagram No. 1 states that the next batter's box (aka the on-deck circle) shall be a circle five-feet in diameter, whose position shall be at the end of a 37-foot measurement taken parallel to the front edge of home plate and measured from the intersection of the edge of the dirt circle and line drawn from the point of plate, extended toward the backstop at an angle perpendicular to the front edge of home plate.
*Rule 8.01(a) states, in part, "The umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline and order on the playing field during the game."
Rule 8.01(b) states, in part, "Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties."
Rule 8.01(d) states, in part, "Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field."

This is the 109th, 110th, ejection report of 2017.
This is the 46th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Beltre was 3-3 in the contest.
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Texas' 4th/5th ejection of 2017, 1st in the AL West (TEX 5; OAK, SEA 4; HOU 2; LAA 1).
This is Adrian Beltre's first ejection since August 23, 2015 (Adam Hamari; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeff Banister's 4th ejection of 2017, 1st since June 18 (Joe West; QOC = Y-C [HBP/Foul]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since September 16, 2016 (Bryan Price; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Texas Rangers, 7/26/17 | Video as follows:

Handling a Bench Clearing Incident - Battle of Texas

Benches cleared in Houston after a pitch thrown behind Rangers batter Mike Napoli, spurring HP Umpire and Crew Chief Gerry Davis into an abbreviated exercise of situation handling.

Benches clear and get physical in Houston.

With two out and none on in the top of the 6th inning of Monday's Rangers-Astros game, Napoli took a first-pitch 97.7-mph fastball from Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. for ball one. Replays indicate the pitch was thrown significantly inside (behind Napoli's back) and approximately shoulder-high. Following the pitch, Napoli began walking toward the pitcher's mound and was intercepted at the edge of the dirt circle by HP Umpire Davis as pitcher McCullers walked about half the distance from the pitcher's plate to home plate before stopping.

Despite Davis' plea for the Rangers to remain in their dugout, no such peace transpired as both benches—and bullpens—cleared, and the two teams engaged in physical interaction with each other along the infield amongst Davis and his crew of Pat Hoberg (1B), Rob Drake (2B), and Tony Randazzo (3B).

No ejections resulted in the aftermath of the Houston altercation, though Davis ultimately issued warnings.

Tim Timmons intervening in a 2011 incident.

This bench-clearing incident in which umpires unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the teams from encroaching upon the playing field brings to mind Tim Timmons' 2011 ejection of former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano for throwing at Chipper Jones and the situation handling demonstrated by Timmons and crew—yes, there are circumstances under which preventing brawls and physically hostile bench-clearing events can be accomplished through game management and situation handling techniques.

During the Zambrano-Jones play, Timmons forcefully ordered the Braves dugout to remain off the field, assisted by 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg, who was quick to pick up on Timmons' command, and 3B Umpire Mark Carlson, who contained the visiting dugout with the assistance of 2B Umpire Eric Cooper.

Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper, in describing Timmons' actions, stated:

We can debate whether or not [Zambrano] should have been tossed, but I think Tim Timmons handled this well because the Braves were coming out of the dugout, and we had a bench clearing situation that was about to start, and he stopped it. And that's the goal for an umpire.

Joe West handles ATL; Holbrook takes Harper.

As for the specifics of batter-pitcher animosity, Joe West in 2013 physically restrained Braves catcher Brian McCann as plunked Nationals batter Bryce Harper jawed with pitcher Julio Teheran while 1B Umpire Sam Holbrook ran to intercept Harper. 2B Umpire Adam Hamari concurrently ran interference between the Nationals' and Braves' respective dugouts and bullpens to prevent a physical altercation while 3B Umpire Rob Drake took Teheran.

Heads Up: Two Astros had been hit by pitches earlier in Monday's game; it was the first meeting of 2017 for the two Lone Star State ball clubs. Napoli's previous at-bat resulted in a home run.

Video via "Read More"

MLB Ejection 163 - Gerry Davis (2; Bryan Price)

HP Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Reds Manager Bryan Price for arguing a Replay Review decision that confirmed Davis' bona fide slide and home plate collision violation no-calls in the top of the 10th inning of the Pirates-Reds game. With none out and the bases loaded, Pirates batter Jason Rogers hit a 1-1 fastball from Reds pitcher Tony Cingrani on the ground to Reds shortstop Jose Peraza, who threw to catcher Ramon Cabrera for the force at home, and onto first baseman Joey Votto as Rogers arrived at first base, initially ruled an out by Holbrook and overturned to "safe" as a result of a challenge by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, while Davis' ruling of "no violation" was confirmed as the result of a Crew Chief Review. Replays indicate Pirates baserunner R3 Sean Rodriguez did not illegally initiate contact with Reds catcher Cabrera at home plate and engaged in a bona fide slide, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 7-6. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 10 innings.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has -6 points in UEFL Standings (-10 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = -6).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -2 points in Crew Division (-3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -2).
*Rule 6.01(i)(1) [formerly Rule 7.13] states: "A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision."
*Rule 6.01(i)(I) Comment states: "A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher."
*Rule 6.01(j) states: "If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of break- ing up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01." A bona fide slide occurs when all four of these criteria are met:
* > Begins his slide (makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base; (YES)
* > Is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot; (YES)
* > Is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate); (N/A [Home Plate Exemption])
* > Slides within base's reach without changing pathway for the purpose of initiating contact. (YES)

This is the 163rd ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 66th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Cincinnati's 7th ejection of 2016, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 14; CIN 7; CHC 4; MIL 3; STL 1).
This is Bryan Price's 4th ejection of 2016, 1st since July 16 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = N [Foul/HBP]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since April 30, 2016 (Robin Ventura; QOC = N-C [Replay/Slide]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, 9/16/16 | Video available via "read more."

MLB Ejection 017 - Gerry Davis (1; Robin Ventura)

1B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected White Sox Manager Robin Ventura for arguing a Replay Review decision that upheld 2B Umpire Cory Blaser's slide interference no-call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the White Sox-Orioles game. With none out and two on, Orioles batter Adam Jones hit a 1-2 splitter from White Sox pitcher Mat Latos on the ground to third baseman Todd Frazier, who tagged third base and threw to second baseman Brett Lawrie, who threw to first baseman Jose Abreu, Orioles baserunner R2 Hyun Soo Kim out at third, R1 Manny Machado out at second, and B1 Jones safe at first. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by White Sox Manager Ventura, Blaser's ruling that Machado's slide at second base was not a violation of the bona fide slide rule was affirmed. Play reviewed by the UEFL Appeals Board (Commissioner's Referral), and adjudicated as incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2 MLB + -2 N-Crewmate = -1).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -3 points in Crew Division (-3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -3).
*Click here for a refresher and Video Analysis of the New Bona Fide Slide FPSR Rule 6.01(j).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-8 states the UEFL Appeals Board may initiate an independent review of MLB Replay Review decisions and, accordingly, attribute a QOC that may conflict with MLB/NY's ruling.

This is the 17th ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the 9th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is the White Sox's 1st ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 2; CWS, MIN 1; CLE, KC 0).
This is Robin Ventura's first ejection since August 15, 2015 (Joe West; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since July 27, 2015 (Craig Counsell; QOC = U [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles (American League Baseball), 4/30/16
Video: Double, not triple, play affirmed on slide rule non-call results in one ejection ("Read more")

MLB Ejections 137-138: Davis (3-4; Gomez, Counsell)

3B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Brewers CF Carlos Gomez and Manager Craig Counsell for arguing a Replay Review decision that overturned 2B Umpire Phil Cuzzi's safe call in the top of the 9th inning of the Brewers-Giants game. With none out and one on, Brewers baserunner Gomez attempted to steal second base off Giants catcher Buster Posey, who threw to second baseman Joe Panik as Gomez slid into second base, ruled safe by 2B Umpire Cuzzi. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Giants Manager Bruce Bochy, Cuzzi's call was reversed to an out, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Giants were leading, 4-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

These are Gerry Davis (12)'s third and fourth ejections of 2015.
Gerry Davis now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 11).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 4 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Call = 4).

These are the 137th and 138th ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 65th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Gomez was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the 62nd Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Brewers' 4/5th ejection of 2015, T-1st in the NL Central (CHC, CIN, MIL, STL 5; PIT 4).
This is Carlos Gomez's first ejection since April 20, 2014 (Fieldin Culbreth; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Craig Counsell's first career MLB ejection.
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since July 2, 2015 (John Gibbons; QOC = U [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants, 7/27/15
Video: Bochy files a successful Manager's Challenge, bringing the Giants an out closer to victory (SF)
Video: After reversal, Gomez' repeat helmet toss, Counsell's argument prompt ejections in the 9th (MIL)