Accountability? Ask Joe West...or not

Joe West made 2 controversial calls in Saturday's game. How does he respond to questions? He doesn't...in fact, he left it to a security guard to respond with "no comment":

"West did not comment after the game. A security guard stationed outside the umpires' dressing room informed West that a reporter was waiting outside, but the guard returned with a message from West that umpires won't be making any comments the rest of the season - and that all requests should be made through Major League Baseball."

almost 2 years ago sothball 12 comments 0 recs |

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Sounds like Joe's a jerk.

If he feels he made the right calls, he shouldn’t be afraid to answer any questions. If he realized he blew it, he should own up to it. Very simple. He doesn’t need to hide behind MLB.

by agent_99 on Aug 16, 2010 12:23 PM PDT reply actions

What's not clear...

…is this a policy of MLB, or is this Joe’s way to deflect tough questions?

Either way, it’s chickens**t to send a security guard to say “no comment”. Step forward and do that on your own, Joe.

by sothball on Aug 16, 2010 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought about whether or not "no comment" might be MLB policy

but then I remembered the Galarraga episode. Jim Joyce seemed to have no trouble answering for his call on that one.West should have done the same.

by agent_99 on Aug 16, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Perhaps Jim Joyce went against policy (if there was one in place) because he truly felt bad. He royally f’d that perfect game up and apologized with what seemed to be sincerity.

Or perhaps there is no policy and Joe West is just a pussy. West does shit like this to keep his name in the press and the broadcasters publicizing his country music career. He’s a joke and an example of changes that should be made to the umpiring staff.

by daze on Aug 16, 2010 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Country Joe tried to be a nice guy Sunday...

He hid a baseball under third during the “steal third” promo. Too bad Joe didnt consider that the little kid couldn’t possibly carry the base AND the ball.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 16, 2010 3:27 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

are you sure

that perhaps the ball accidentally fell out from under his massive extra chin? I mean, it could have easily have been foultipped right into one of the many folds a couple weeks back in another game in another city, only to become dislodged and end up under a base as Joe was leaning over in an attempt to see if his shoe was untied (note; he ended having to ask the foul ball boy on the 3rd base side as his belly would not allow a direct view of said feet).

this seems highly more likely than Joe actually doing something genuinely nice on a baseball field.

Be-cause YOU"RE THE ONE!

by 2pintsofbooze on Aug 16, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm no fan of Country Joe, but...

It seems like he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. When he was giving interviews and making headlines he was criticized for enjoying the attention, people were saying that a good umpire is one who remains invisible. Now he decides to keep his mouth shut and gets raked over the coals for that. I agree….he’s an embarrassment to the game, but this is kinda silly.

by firebird81 on Aug 16, 2010 7:25 PM PDT reply actions

wasn't it more about him hiring a publicist

and sending a press release ahead of a game to announce his presence?

by daze on Aug 16, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

No need...

we can “feel” his presence … as in Richter scale feel.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 16, 2010 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions

and the country album, yes,

but he caught flack for the yankees/red sox comments too.

by firebird81 on Aug 16, 2010 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions

that flack was because of the teams he dared to speak out about

if a yanks/sux game is under 4 hours, there must be a rainout.

by daze on Aug 17, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

It's a bit late to remain invisible.

I’m assuming the reporter wanted to ask what he (West) saw in the 2 controversial calls. I don’t believe its unreasonable or unfair to ask him questions, or to want answers to those questions. What’s he afraid of? If he made the correct call, then all he has to do is explain the decision.

He’d remain less visible if he simply answered the questions. By avoiding the media, it appears he either doesn’t have confidence in his decisions, or he has something to hide.

by sothball on Aug 17, 2010 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions