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).

Injury Scout - Kerwin Danley Leaves Cubs-Rockies in 1st

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley left Wednesday's #Cubs-#Rockies game in Colorado due to an apparent back injury in the 1st inning.

With two out in the top of the 1st inning, during Cubs batter Ian Happ's at-bat vs Jon Gray, Danley appeared to signal his intent to leave the game at the conclusion of the half-inning, before appearing to suffer a mobility issue on the final pitch of the at-bat, Happ's swinging strikeout.

Danley was replaced behind home plate by 2B Umpire Roberto Ortiz while 1B Umpire CB Bucknor assumed Acting Crew Chief duties at first base and 3B Umpire Adam Hamari remained at third base.

Relevant Injury History: There is no relevant history, but this is Danley's second injury-exit of 2021.

On April 27, 2021, Danley left a Rockies-Giants game after a foul ball head injury.

Last Game: August 4 | Return to Play: August 24 | Time Absent: 19 Days | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Kerwin Danley Knocked Out of Giants Game

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley left Tuesday's #Rockies-#Giants game after a foul ball to the mask, the latest in a long string of head injuries for the veteran crew chief.

In the top of the 6th inning in San Francisco, Rockies batter Sam Hilliard fouled a 0-1 sinker from Giants pitcher Jose Alvarez into Danley's hockey-style mask, sending Danley to the ground.

Danley was replaced at home plate by 2B Umpire Ryan Additon while 1B Umpire CB Bucknor assumed acting crew chief duties and shared field responsibilities with 3B Umpire Adam Hamari.

Relevant Injury History: Danley has a significant injury history of head trauma, including concussion.

> On July 9, 2017, Danley left a Royals-Dodgers game after a foul ball head injury.

> On April 7, 2016, Danley remained in a game after a 98-mph fastball to the head.
> On May 12, 2015, Danley exited a game in Arizona as the result of a 94-mph pitch fouled into his HSM.
> On June 3, 2013, Danley exited in Cincinnati after a bouncing ball deflected and struck his mask.
> On April 21, 2009, Danley was carted off the field after a broken bat struck the side of his head.
> On April 26, 2008, Danley was knocked unconscious in LA by a 96-mph pitch directly to the mask.

Last Game: April 27 | Return to Play: May 7 | Time Absent: 9 Days | Video as follows:

Kerwin Danley Interviews with MLB's Hot Stove

Newly-promoted crew chief Kerwin Danley joined MLB Network's Hot Stove hosts Matt Vasgergian and Harold Reynolds to discuss his promotion as Major League Baseball's first African American umpire crew chief and recount his foray into the umpiring world through a chance encounter with former big league umpire Randy Marsh.

Danley touched base with studio host and retired big league infielder Reynolds, a former teammate of his at San Diego State University (Reynolds would later transfer to Cañada College), who told a story of meeting Danley at their campus apartments, Reynolds wearing what he thought was an impressive letterman jacket from alma mater Corvallis High School, only to then see Danley wearing an even-more accentuated letterman's jacket from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

Danley told Hot Stove he is "on top of the world, humbled, honored, and glad to be carrying the legacy of the African American umpires who came before me" and expects to receive his 2020 regular season schedule in early March.
Related Post: MLB Promotes Kerwin Danley to Crew Chief (2/27/20).

Video as follows:

MLB Promotes Kerwin Danley to Crew Chief

Umpire Kerwin Danley will become MLB's first African American crew chief, as Major League Baseball promoted the 58-year-old Californian to fill one of four vacancies created by the retirements of chiefs Gary Cederstrom, Dana DeMuth, Mike Everitt, and Jeff Kellogg this 2019-2020 offseason.

Danley, who played baseball with Tony Gwynn and Bud Black at San Diego State, ascends to the on-field supervisory role with 45 ejections over 2,597 career regular season games. Danley has also officiated the 2019 Wild Card Game, seven Division Series, two League Championship Series, two World Series, and two All-Star Games.

He joins the crew chief ranks in his 29th overall MLB season (including call-up experience), having debuted in the National League in 1992. Danley was the UEFL's Promising Umpire (then-known-as Noteworthy Umpire) of the Year in 2007.

The Associated Press published news of Danley's promotion early Thursday morning.

Postseason Injury - Jeff Nelson and the 5-Umpire Crew

When crew chief Jeff Nelson left Game 3 of the 2019 Astros-Yankees American League Championship Series, 2B Umpire Kerwin Danley took over at home plate with other umpires sliding over, leaving left field vacant. In 2008, a foul ball injury forced Derryl Cousins out of the ALCS in Tampa Bay, similarly leaving a five-person crew.

Injury Scout: With two out and none on in the top of the 4th inning of ALCS Game 3, Astros batter Martin Maldonado fouled a 97.5-mph 3-2 fastball from Yankees pitcher Luis Severino directly off the facemask. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez gave Nelson time by going to the mound as the training staff attended to him and 2B Umpire Danley came down the line to check on his crewmate.

After the 4th inning, Nelson exited the game due to the head injury and potential concussion and Danley moved from second to behind the plate with other umpires sliding over to fill in the infield gap—leaving a hole in left field—and 1B Dan Bellino remaining at first, Mark Carlson moving from third to 2B, Marvin Hudson moving from left field to 3B, and Cory Blaser remaining in right field, thus leaving left field uncovered.

Umpire movement after Nelly's departure.

Precedent: This isn't the first time an umpire has had to depart a postseason game, leaving his crew shorthanded.* in 2008, Derryl Cousins left Game 6 of the ALCS in Tampa Bay due to injury. 1B Umpire Tim McClelland (set to work Game 7) took over behind the plate, with Sam Holbrook moving from second base to 1B, Brian O'Nora moving from third to 2B, Brian Gorman moving from left field to 3B, and Alfonso Marquez remaining in right field.

Accordingly, leaving left field vacant and sliding each umpire up a slot (other than RF) keeps with precedent, except that MLB in Game 6 of the 2008 ALCS preferred regular season crew chief McClelland behind the plate to then-non-cc Holbrook.

It's not unusual to vacate the left field line.

*Or Not. Perhaps instead of considering a five-umpire crew to be shorthanded, it may be better to view it from the perspective of what other sports do in the postseason: MLB puts its umpires on a constant power play throughout the playoffs while the other sports keep their officials behind the scenes.

In NBA, NFL, and NHL postseasons, the league assigns what is known as a standby official or officials. For instance, hockey assigns both a standby referee and a standby linesman to its Stanley Cup crew of four on-ice officials.

Wes left the Western Conference Finals' Gm 6.

Accordingly, if either of the two referees becomes injured—as occurred with referee Wes McCauley during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs—the standby referee takes his place on the ice, and a similar procedure occurs for a hurt linesman.

The reason not all six officials are on the ice at the same time is rather simple...where would hockey reasonably put a fifth and sixth official where they wouldn't be in the way or otherwise complicate matters?

MLB's LF and RF Umpires are Quasi-Standby Officials: In baseball—barring an infield fly rule situation in left field—adding standby officials as line umpires with play calling responsibilities doesn't complicate logistics as it would in other sports, and allows the league the opportunity to add two additional plate umpires to the series (whereas the other sports substitute entire crews between playoff games). Combined with a Replay Official who rotates onto the field, this means that a seven-game MLB championship series with no injuries will never have an umpire work the plate twice.

McClelland and Cousins in Game 6 of '08.

Game 7's alignment in 2008 was as follows: HP Umpire Gorman, 1B Holbrook, 2B O'Nora, 3B McClelland, LF Marquez, and RF Umpire Angel Hernandez, who was brought in just for Game 7 to work in place of injured regular season crew chief Cousins, thus affording MLB the opportunity to hand-pick a Game 7 plate umpire (other than McClelland). McClelland was the 2018 ALCS crew chief, and served as such for Game 7 from his position at third base, which is a standard day-after-plate rotation during the regular season.

MLB Unprepared? Major League Baseball has a long history of assigning two regular season crew chiefs to the League Championship Series and World Series rounds of the postseason—the idea is that if the umpire designated as postseason crew chief exits the game due to injury, the second regular season on the crew simply takes over as acting postseason crew chief for the remainder of the game or series.

Although it initially appeared 1B Bellino ran off the field to change into plate gear as FS1 went to commercial break, it was actually 2B Umpire Danley who later emerged in full plate uniform under the watchful eye of an MLB official who appeared to be Peter Woodfork, the league's Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations.

Imagine instead of Game 5, an umpire is suddenly thrust into plate work in Game 3, after expecting that Game 4's umpire would be the backup in case of injury.

The plate scores for Nelson (innings 1-4), Danley (innings 5-9), and combined (1-9) were:
Nelson: 59/61 Balls + 28/28 Strikes = 87/89 = 97.8%. +0 Neutral.
Danley: 54/54 Balls + 16/20 Strikes = 70/74 = 94.6%. +2 Houston.
Total: 113/115 Balls + 44/48 Strikes = 157/163 = 96.3%. +2 Houston.

MLB failed to assign a 2nd ALCS crew chief.

MLB had a chance to assign a regular season crew chief, such as Joe West, to replace the previously-injured Mike Everitt (injured during the Wild Card Game) to the 2019 ALCS, but for whatever reason neglected to make the assignment. As originally configured, 2019's is the first October since the players' strike prematurely ended the 1994 baseball season that West and/or Gerry Davis will not appear in the postseason—that's a 25-year streak snapped.

Now that the chickens have come home to roost, the ALCS as configured in Games 1-3 was left without a bona fide crew chief when Nelson stepped off the field.

We'll See: If ESPN's report that Nelson is concussed is accurate, that means an automatic stint on the week-long concussion list, which would disqualify Nelson from further service in the ALCS. If he cannot continue, what transaction will occur ahead of Game 4? Will Bill Welke (not a crew chief) come out of Replay Review and go back onto the field or will another umpire get assigned to the postseason? Or will MLB bite the bullet and finally assign a second crew chief to the ALCS, seeing as this crew now needs a bona fide chief?

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 104-5 - Kerwin Danley (1-2; CIN)

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley ejected Reds RF Yasiel Puig and Manager David Bell (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the Reds-Angels game. With one out and one on (R1), Puig took a first-pitch curveball from Angels pitcher Noe Ramirez for a called first strike before taking a 0-2 fastball from Ramirez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.94, pz 2.09) while the 0-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the knees (px 0.45, pz 1.78 [sz_bot 1.65]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Angels were leading, 4-1. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

These are Kerwin Danley (44)'s first and second ejections of 2019.
Kerwin Danley now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 11).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 1 point in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 2 *[1 Correct Call] = 1).
*The pitch under QOC consideration is the 0-2 pitch ruled strike three. This is due to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5-c, as approved by the UEFL membership during the 2013 UEFL Rules Summit concerning the rule's language of, "realistically resulted in a different outcome of the individual at-bat."
*The 0-2 pitch was located -4.03 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

These are the 104th and 105th ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Puig was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 55th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 10/11th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 11; MIL, PIT 5; CHC, STL 2).
This is Yasiel Puig's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 7 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is David Bell's 5th ejection of 2019, 1st since May 29 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = U [Warnings/NEC]).
This is Kerwin Danley's 1st ejection since Sept 19, 2016 (Mitch Moreland; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6/25/19 | Video as follows:

Media - Danley, Muchlinski (AZ) & Timmons (FL) Talk Shop

Spring Training 2018 has produced a nearly unprecedented level of umpire interviews, with Kerwin Danley a featured speaker at MLB's Dream Series, and local profiles of Mike Muchlinski in Arizona and Tim Timmons in Florida. Meanwhile, Ted Barrett sat down for an extended conversation about new rules and replay.

Kerwin Danley: In a recently-published video from the 2018 Dream Series, MLB umpire Kerwin Danley spoke alongside former pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to a group of high school athletes about officiating, and complaints about balls and strikes, which have increased dramatically since the adoption of expanded replay review

It's the pitching coaches first. Hitting coaches, you don't hear from them that much, unless...you're having a bad day, then you hear from them.

The data support Danley's observation: just two hitting coaches were ejected in 2017, compared to seven pitching coaches.

MLB Umpire Mike Muchlinski is in Arizona.

Mike Muchlinski: Cincinnati, Ohio's WCPO-TV shadowed Muchlinski during a day at Goodyear Ballpark, the Reds' and Indians' shared-use stadium in Arizona's Cactus League, discussing his path to the major leagues and how umpires prepare for the regular season, including enforcement new rules, rotation between the bases, and the rigors of spending months away from home and family. A brief glimpse of Muchlinski and Adam Hamari discussing what is and isn't a mound visit appears as well.

We prepare every day to get every call right. Realistically, that's not going to happen, so it's a good thing to be able to fix the big errors, especially when it comes to a decision that affects the outcome of a game.

MLB Umpire Tim Timmons is in Florida.

Tim Timmons: In Florida, local station WFTX joined Tim Timmons at Jet Blue Park to get the Grapefruit League perspective. Like Muchlinski, Timmons described his journey to the big leagues and recounted the story of his first interaction with Hank Aaron, who told a group of aspiring minor league umpires, "If you give to this game, it will repay you ten-fold."

Explained Timmons concerning the villainy of the umpire, "the jeers pay the bills." As Muchlinski stated in Arizona, the downside of professional umpiring is the time spent away from family.

MLB Umpire Ted Barrett is in Arizona.

Ted Barrett: Fresh off his in-game interview with Angels baseball, veteran crew chief Ted Barrett sat down with ESPN to discuss MLB's new mound visit limit, replay, technology, and fan perception.
Related Post: Spring Feature - Ted Barrett Interviewed During Game (3/16/18).

Barrett foresees that MLB will tie up any loose ends concerning mound visits by Opening Day. For example, when a catcher took a foul ball off his mask in late February, the plate umpire charged the defensive team with a mound visit because the pitcher had walked to home plate to check on his battery mate. Although MLB still hasn't formally addressed that specific play, the League has issued clarification that a catcher visiting the mound to buy an injured umpire some time after a similar foul ball situation would not be deemed a mound visit.
Related Post: So it Begins - Mound Visit Charged on Injury Timeout (2/27/18).

Regarding replay, Barrett likened having a call of his overturned to that of a batter striking out: "Anytime you fail, that's tough. You have to get over it. And it's not just when the game is on the line: I would feel bad if I cost a guy a base hit."

Certain strike zone plots can be misleading.

In admitting he has never called a catcher for blocking the plate in real-time, a trend that holds true for every big league umpire—MLB has yet to experience an umpire calling a blocking-the-plate violation in real-time...such a play was only overturned from "no violation" to "violation" via replay, thus scoring a run, once out of 13 total reviews in 2017, and that was during the postseason, resulting in an ejection—Barrett explained that such a call is difficult to see in real time.
Related Post: MLB Ejection P-2 - Mike Winters (2; Joe Maddon) (10/14/17).

If it's blatant, I'll call it. Otherwise, replay will do the overturning.

Improved technology has also led to electronic (albeit faulty) ball/strike calculations, which have most popularly spawned a series of statistical umpire rankings, although the tech used from one system to the next may not be consistent (nor accurate). Instead, Barrett relies on the innovation to help with reviewing technique, such as positioning or stance consideration: "It's a never-ending self-analysis."
Related Post: Analyzing Strike Zone Analysis - Not So Easy or Simple (10/27/16).

Finally, Barrett discussed fans, how he generally tunes them out, and how the World Umpires Association turned to Twitter (@MLBaseballUmps) to try and get the umpires' viewpoint out into a world that hasn't always allowed sports officials to speak up.

For instance, the WUA used the account to communicate the circumstances surrounding its white wristband protest of escalating verbal attacks and the Commissioner's deficient response to such unsportsmanlike acts during the 2017 season.
Related Post: WUA-MLB Relations Deteriorate with New Umpire Protest (8/19/17).

The protest lasted all of one day before Commissioner Rob Manfred agreed to meet with the umpires. Barrett serves on the WUA Governing Board.
Related Post: WUA Secures Commissioner Meeting, Suspends Protest (8/20/17).

Barrett wanted to make it known that despite popular grumblings to the contrary, umpires are held to standard:

That's the biggest thing I want to get across to people that say, "Big league umpires have no accountability." Every play and pitch we call is analyzed. We get reviewed on everything. It's not always public, just like internal things with players and teams aren't always public. We make every effort to be at our best. 

Videos (3x) and Source Links as follows:

Injury Scout - Danley Hit in Hand by Bouncing Pitch

Kerwin Danley left another game after being struck by a pitched ball, this time in Colorado on Wednesday.

Kerwin Danley receives care in Colorado.

With none out and none on in the top of the 4th inning of Wednesday night's Mets-Giants game, Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood threw a 1-2 breaking ball that bounced off the ground and into Danley's left hand or wrist, which he had held in front of his chest during the bounced pitch. Replays indicate the pitch bounced off the infield grass in front of home plate and deflected off of catcher Ryan Hanigan's right shoulder pad before hitting Danley.

Danley left the game after attention from the Rockies training staff and was replaced behind the plate by crewmate and 2B Umpire Lance Barrett, with 1B Umpire Jim Reynolds and 3B Umpire Brian Knight sharing field responsibilities. Reynolds additionally assumed the role of acting crew chief, as Danley had been serving as acting crew chief for Dale Scott, who himself has been absent since April 14 when he suffered a concussion as the result of a foul ball to the head.

Relevant Injury History: Danley has no relevant (hand/arm) injury history. However, he most recently left a game on July 9, 2017, as the result of a foul ball head injury, his sixth significant head injury since 2008.

Last Game: August 2 | Return to Play: September 8 | Total Time Absent: 36 Days | Video as follows:

Injury Scout Update After AS Break - Two Umps Return

Two injured umpires have returned to play following the 2017 All-Star Break, while a third remains absent.

2017 1st Half Injury Scout Review.

Kerwin Danley (head): Having left the July 9 Royals-Dodgers game in the 2nd inning as the result of a foul ball-head injury, Danley returned to play on Friday in Milwaukee, effectively missing no games as the result of his injury due to the four-day All-Star Break.

Andy Fletcher (head): After leaving June 21's Diamondbacks-Rockies game in the 7th inning after taking a deflected hit-by-pitch to the mask, Fletcher returned to play on Friday in Detroit, closing out a 22-day absence from the field.

Dale Scott (head): The only remaining umpire on staff who has not returned from injury, Scott's most recent umpiring appearance was April 14 in Toronto, when he was carted off after a foul ball head injury. CT scans were reportedly negative and Harold Reynolds reported a concussion had been diagnosed.

---

Prior 2017 Injuries (Closed):
CB Bucknor (lower body): Bucknor briefly left the field June 2 after motioning toward his right leg and hamstring area. Though he was off the field for a few days following the apparent leg injury, he returned to the field on June 13.

Tony Randazzo (head): Hit in the head during the 5th inning of May 13's Reds-Giants game, Randazzo didn't leave the field until the game entered the 14th inning. He returned to the playing field after a 28-day absence, on June 9.

CB Bucknor (head): Before June 2, Bucknor had left his April 28 assignment due to a foul ball head injury, returning to play after a 13-day absence, on May 12.

Jeff Nelson (undisclosed/preseason): On March 14, Jeff Nelson left his Spring Training assignment in the middle of the 4th inning for an undisclosed reason, returning to the field on March 17.

Bruce Dreckman (return from pre-existing absence/preseason): Bruce Dreckman concluded his 522-day absence from the field when he officiated his first Spring Training game on March 10.

David Rackley (head): A foul ball facemask/head injury on March 5 sidelined Rackley for three days before his return to play on March 9.

Paul Emmel (upper body): Emmel was struck by an accidentally thrown bat on February 28, and returned to action on March 2, after just one day off the field.

[Undisclosed Reason for Absence]: Brian Knight has been missing from the field since June 13, 2017. He previously was absent from May 15 - June 11.

Injury Scout - Another Kerwin Danley Head Shot in LA

Kerwin Danley left Sunday's Royals-Dodgers game in the 2nd inning after a foul ball head injury at Dodger Stadium. It is Danley's second significant game-ending head injury suffered as plate umpire in Los Angeles, including a 2008 episode that required an ambulance and ended with a concussion diagnosis.

Kerwin Danley is assisted at Dodger Stadium.

With two out and none in the bottom of the 1st inning, Dodgers batter Cody Bellinger fouled off a 94.3-mph fastball from Royals pitcher Danny Duffy into the central forehead portion of Danley's hockey-style mask (HSM), causing him to lose his balance and be helped to the ground behind home plate by Royals catcher Drew Butera, Belinger, and several Dodgers staffers.

After remaining in the game through completion of the inning, as well as the top of the 2nd while crew mate and 1B Umpire Adam Hamari put on the plate umpire's equipment, Danley was replaced behind home plate by Hamari, while base umpires Todd Tichenor (2B => 1B) and Crew Chief Bill Miller (3B) officiated the field for the remainder of the contest.

Relevant Injury History: Danley has a significant history of traumatic head injuries as plate umpire.
> On April 7, 2016, Danley remained in a game after a 98-mph fastball to the head.
> On May 12, 2015, Danley exited a game in Arizona as the result of a 94-mph pitch fouled into his HSM.
> On June 3, 2013, Danley exited in Cincinnati after a bouncing ball deflected and struck his mask.
> On April 21, 2009, Danley was carted off the field after a broken bat struck the side of his head.
> On April 26, 2008, Danley was knocked unconscious in LA by a 96-mph pitch directly to the mask.

Last Game: July 9, 2017 | Return to Play: July 14, 2017 | Total Time Absent: 0 Games [All-Star Break]
Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 169-170 - Danley, West (1|6; TEX)

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley ejected Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 4th and 2B Umpire Joe West ejected Rangers Manager Jeff Banister for arguing a Replay Review decision that overturned West's in play ruling in the top of the 6th inning of the Angels-Rangers game. In the 4th, with two out and one on, Moreland took a 0-2 slider from Angels pitcher Jhoulys Chacin for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px -1.272, pz 2.871), the call was incorrect. In the 6th, with one out and none on, Angels batter Yunel Escobar hit a line drive to right-center field, that stuck into the bottom of the right-center outfield wall, before being played by the Rangers for a putout at third base, overturned as the result of a Replay Review and challenge by Angels Manager Mike Scioscia. Replays indicate the ball stuck underneath the outfield wall and that the outfielder was unable to free it cleanly as a result, the call was correct.* At the time of Moreland's ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. At the time of Banister's ejection, the Rangers were leading, 1-0. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Kerwin Danley (44)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is Joe West (22)'s sixth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Kerwin Danley now has 0 points in UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 0).
Joe West now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 8 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 0 Incorrect + 1 Correct = 8).
*Rule 5.06(b)(4)(F): "Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out (the ball is dead), advance—Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines."
*Relevant Replay Review (Precedent): MLB Instant Replay Review 025: Marvin Hudson (01) [2014]

This is the 169th, 170th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Moreland was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 68th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Texas' 5/6th ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL West (HOU 7; LAA, TEX 6; OAK 5; SEA 2).
This is Mitch Moreland's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jeff Banister's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 9 (Laz Diaz; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Kerwin Danley's first ejection since June 22, 2015 (Asdrubal Cabrera; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Joe West's first ejection since September 12, 2016 (Joe Maddon; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Texas Rangers, 9/19/16 | Video available via "read more."

Injury - Kerwin Danley Hit in Helmet by 98 MPH Pitch

Kerwin Danley took a 98-mph fastball to the helmet during the first inning of Wednesday night's Tigers-Marlins game in Miami. With one out and none on in the top of the 1st, Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez threw a fastball over the inner half of home plate, missed entirely by catcher J.T. Realmuto and directly off the crown of Danley's hockey-style mask.

After a brief delay and evaluation by training staff, Danley remained in the game. With umpire Joe West's crew scheduled for a regular day off on Thursday, Danley will have an extra day to rest before his next potential game.

Danley's most recent injury behind home plate occurred on May 12, 2015 in Arizona, when he took a foul ball off a 94 mph pitch directly into the center of his HSM; Danley left the game as a result.
In the wake of a 2013 concussion, Danley took a bouncing ball to the facemask and left that game;
In 2009, Danley took a broken bat to the head and left the game on a stretcher after being concussed;
In 2008, Danley was knocked unconscious and removed by ambulance in Los Angeles after taking a 96 mph fastball directly to the jaw portion of his mask.

MLB Ejection 102: Kerwin Danley (1; Asdrubal Cabrera)

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley ejected Rays SS Asdrubal Cabrera for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Blue Jays-Rays game. With one out and two on, Cabrera took a 0-2 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px .720, pz 2.080; strike two was px .694, pz 3.373 [sz_top 3.510]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Kerwin Danley (44)'s first ejection of 2015.
Kerwin Danley now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 15 points in Crew Division (14 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 15).

This is the 102nd ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 48th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Cabrera was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the Rays' 3rd ejection of 2015, T-4th in the AL East (BOS 5; BAL, TOR 4; NYY, TB 3).
This is Asdrubal Cabrera's first ejection since October 4, 2014 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Kerwin Danley's first ejection since June 4, 2014 (Robin Ventura; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6/22/15
Video: Cabrera is tossed after slamming his bat; Cowboy Joe confiscates the abused equipment (TB)

Kerwin Danley Injured on Foul Ball to Face, Exits Game

A foul ball knocked Plate Umpire Kerwin Danley out of Tuesday's Nationals-Diamondbacks game in Arizona. With one out and none on in the bottom of the second inning, Diamondbacks batter Nick Ahmed fouled a 94 mph fastball from Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg directly into the center of Danley's hockey-style facemask.

Danley was evaluated by the Arizona training staff and did not return. He was replaced by 2B Umpire Gabe Morales, who completed the game in a three-person alignment with umpires Rob Drake and crew chief Joe West.

Danley has a history of baseball-related injuries, including at least four significant hits to the head:
In 2013, Danley left a Rockies-Reds game after being hit in the mask by a bouncing ball;
Earlier in 2013, Danley had suffered a concussion;
In 2009, Danley was struck by a broken bat, left the game on a stretcher, and suffered a concussion;
In 2008, Danley took a 96-mph pitch directly in the mask and was knocked unconscious.

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1092-1097: September 4, 2014

September 4, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1092	1B	Johnson, Adrian	15	CLE	38	Terry Francona	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1093	2B	Cederstrom, Gary	19	TB	53	Joe Maddon	6	Out	Confirmed
R	1094	1B	Danley, Kerwin	15	TOR	49	John Gibbons	10	Safe	Confirmed
R	1095	1B	Welke, Bill	14	LAA	38	Mike Scioscia	9	Safe	Stands
r	1096	HP	Conroy, Chris	15	STL	31	Mike Matheny	9	Out	Confirmed
R	1097	1B	Hudson, Marvin	14	SD	32	Bud Black	7	Out	Confirmed

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1092: DET@CLE: Close play in 8th overturned after challenge
Video 1093: TOR@TB: Rays lose challenge on out call in 6th, confirmed
Video 1094: TOR@TB: Blue Jays lose challenge in the 10th, confirmed
Video 1095: LAA@MIN: Call stands after Angels challenge in 9th
Video 1096: STL@MIL: Maldonado's tag on Jay confirmed in the 9th
Video 1097: ARI@SD: Padres challenge play in 7th, call confirmed

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1084-1091: September 3, 2014

September 3, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1084	2B	Baker, Jordan	11	ATL	30	Fredi Gonzalez	5	Out	Overturned
R	1085	HP	Schrieber, Paul	15	LAD	39	Don Mattingly	7	Ball	Stands
R	1086	2B	Ripperger, Mark	12	WAS	37	Matt Williams	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1087	1B	Fletcher, Andy	13	NYM	33	Terry Collins	6	Safe	Overturned
r	1088	3B	Cederstrom, Gary	18	TB	51	Joe Maddon	5	HR	Stands
R	1089	2B	Danley, Kerwin	14	TB	52	Joe Maddon	6	Out	Overturned
R	1090	2B	Reyburn, DJ	22	LAA	37	Mike Scioscia	7	Safe	Overturned
R	1091	HP	Blaser, Cory	13	SD	31	Bud Black	5	Safe	Stands

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1084: PHI@ATL: Challenge overturns out at second in the 5th
Video 1085: WSH@LAD: Call stands after Dodgers challenge in 7th / Turner HRs
Video 1086: WSH@LAD: Challenge overturns safe call in the 8th
Video 1087: NYM@MIA: Safe call overturned in the 6th inning
Video 1088: TOR@TB: Umpires review homer, stands in 5th
Video 1089: TOR@TB: Out call overturned in the 6th inning
Video 1090: LAA@HOU: Pickoff attempt is overturned in the 7th
Video 1091: ARI@SD: A play at the plate is reviewed in the 5th, stands