Umpires wearing white wristbands until 'concerns taken seriously' by MLB
ESPN
8/19/17
Some umpires across Major League Baseball are wearing white wristbands Saturday, a show of solidarity after Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler was fined -- and not suspended -- for harsh criticism of Angel Hernandez earlier this week.
"This week, a player publicly and harshly impugned the character and integrity of Angel Hernandez -- a veteran umpire who has dedicated his career to baseball and the community," the World Umpires Association said in a statement. "The verbal attack on Angel denigrated the entire MLB umpiring staff and is unacceptable."
Kinsler was ejected for questioning Hernandez's balls and strikes calls Monday. A day later, he called Hernandez a bad umpire who is "messing with baseball games, blatantly," adding: "He needs to find another job, he really does." Speaking again Friday, Kinsler said he was fined for the comments (the second baseman did not disclose the amount), but that he had no regrets about what he said.
"The Office of the Commissioner has failed to address this and other escalating attacks on umpires," the WUA said Saturday. "The player who denigrated Hernandez publicly said he thought he would be suspended. Instead got far more lenient treatment -- a fine. He shrugged that off and told reporters he has 'no regrets' about his offensive statements calling for an end to Hernandez's career."
"The Office of the Commissioner's lenient treatment to abusive player behavior sends the wrong message to players and managers. It's 'open season' on umpires, and that's bad for the game."
ESPN
8/19/17
Some umpires across Major League Baseball are wearing white wristbands Saturday, a show of solidarity after Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler was fined -- and not suspended -- for harsh criticism of Angel Hernandez earlier this week.
"This week, a player publicly and harshly impugned the character and integrity of Angel Hernandez -- a veteran umpire who has dedicated his career to baseball and the community," the World Umpires Association said in a statement. "The verbal attack on Angel denigrated the entire MLB umpiring staff and is unacceptable."
Kinsler was ejected for questioning Hernandez's balls and strikes calls Monday. A day later, he called Hernandez a bad umpire who is "messing with baseball games, blatantly," adding: "He needs to find another job, he really does." Speaking again Friday, Kinsler said he was fined for the comments (the second baseman did not disclose the amount), but that he had no regrets about what he said.
"The Office of the Commissioner has failed to address this and other escalating attacks on umpires," the WUA said Saturday. "The player who denigrated Hernandez publicly said he thought he would be suspended. Instead got far more lenient treatment -- a fine. He shrugged that off and told reporters he has 'no regrets' about his offensive statements calling for an end to Hernandez's career."
"The Office of the Commissioner's lenient treatment to abusive player behavior sends the wrong message to players and managers. It's 'open season' on umpires, and that's bad for the game."
