The last few weeks have not been kind to umpire Angel Hernandez.
In Toronto two weeks ago, he was roundly mocked -- by players, fans and media alike -- for missing an obvious strike, right over the heart of the plate, in a game between the Yankees and Blue Jays.
Replays of the pitch -- and the reaction of players on the field -- were repeated endlessly on social media and TV.
Then, Tuesday night, Hernandez drew the ire of both the Red Sox and Texas Rangers -- in the same half-inning. First, fellow umpire Vic Carapazza felt duty-bound to eject Andrew Benintendi for badmouthing Hernandez as he walked to the dugout. Then, minutes later, Hernandez enraged the entire Texas dugout by disallowing a replay challenge, claiming that Rangers manager Chris Woodward had exceeded the 30-second time period to launch a review.
The missed pitch could be chalked up to human error, a mistake any umpire could make (though Hernandez seems to make them more frequently than others). The decision to cut off Woodward's replay challenge, however, speaks to a certain institutional arrogance on the part of Hernandez. Umpires routinely warn managers that their time is close to expiring in order to hasten the replay process; Hernandez didn't do so, then unilaterally cut off the ability to challenge.
So, why does Hernandez get away with his poor on-field performance and demeanor? The answer is a complicated one, involving, among other things, the current umpires' contract with Major League Baseball, Hernandez's pending lawsuit against baseball and other factors, industry sources claim.
Thanks to the current labor deal between the umpires' union and MLB, it's become virtually impossible for umpires with Hernandez's tenor to be disciplined, much less dismissed.
Umpires are graded on their work on the bases and behind the plate, with their performance on balls and strikes graded against StatCast, which determines the accuracy of their calls.
An umpire who falls below a 92 percent grade on balls and strikes is subject to probation. But a source with knowledge of the situation said that currently, no umpire -- Hernandez included -- has graded out below 96 percent accuracy.
The introduction of replay has provided another evaluating tool for MLB supervisors, though it's not known what Hernandez's history is here, or his rate of overturned calls.
Still, the absence of any empirical data to suggest that Hernandez is performing below standards means he can't be disciplined or reprimanded.
Further complicating matters is Hernandez's lawsuit alleging that, as a minority -- Hernandez is Cuban -- he was discriminated against when it came to postseason assignments and becoming a crew chief. (Ironically, Hernandez is operating this year as an "interim'' crew chief due to a season-ending knee injury to Jerry Meals and last year was selected to work the Division Series). The title of crew chief, according to a source, is worth another $100 daily.
While the lawsuit is awaiting resolution, MLB has its hands tied.
Hernandez, 57, has plenty of reasons to keep umpiring. Now in his 26th year, he earns a base salary of $400,000; with 30 years of service time, he would jump to $430,000, the current top step on the pay grid. The base salary does not include the umpires' annual share of MLB's current TV deals, worth another $30,000 each. And, of course, there are the bonuses earned for postseason assignments, which are worth tens of thousands more, depending on the event.
(Nominally, postseason umpire assignments are based on merit, and given Hernandez's reputation, players, managers and executives are perplexed by Hernandez's presence on the October stage. But another source suggests that, more than anything, MLB values experience for its playoff and World Series games, helping to partly explain Hernandez's presence in the postseason.)
Thanks to the protection offered by the union contract, it's virtually impossible for an umpire to lose his job. Major League Baseball began to take a harder line against the umpires during Sandy Alderson's tenure as executive vice president of baseball operations from 1998-2005. Alderson asserted himself more fully in dealing with umpires and helped ensure a less confrontational approach by the umps on the field.
But since he left the post -- umpires now come under the jurisdiction of chief baseball officer Joe Torre and senior vice president of baseball operations Peter Woodfork, who once worked in the Red Sox front office under Theo Epstein -- the commissioner's office has appeared less assertive with its umpires.
There are two avenues of possible relief for Major League Baseball.
The current umpires' contract with MLB expires this winter, and the Commissioner's office could push for tougher language in the next pact to make umpires more accountable for their on-field performance and interactions.
Further, it's expected that the retirement benefits under the new deal -- with a more generous pension and health benefits for retirees -- could induce Hernandez to call it a career. Baseball officials are already braced for a slew of its veteran umpires -- perhaps in double digits -- could retire before the start of 2020, paving the way for the hiring of many new, younger ups currently working in the minors or as fill-ins among its 78 full-time slots.
Until then, Hernandez remains on field, largely unaccountable and untouchable.
____________________
Two former first-round selections by the Red Sox have been sidelined this season -- Trey Ball, chosen seventh overall in 2013 and Jayson Groome, tabbed 12th in 2016.
Groome, considered the Red Sox top pitching prospect, underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2018 is still recovering, though he has begun throwing. Recovery time from Tommy John ranges anywhere from a year to 18 months, but the Sox are being understandably cautious, given Groome's potential.
"He's progressing well,'' reported Ben Crockett, the Red Sox vice president of player development. "He's throwing long toss and feeling good.''
Crockett said it was "too soon to tell,'' whether Groome will end up appearing in minor league games for an affiliate this season, or whether the Sox will keep him under a more structured, controlled environment for the remainder of the summer.
"His mound progression and the timing will help dictate that,'' he said.
As for Ball, he's been in extended spring training since March as he makes the transition from pitcher to outfielder. Ball has been a major disappointment on the mound, going 34-47 with a 5.04 ERA over six seasons. He stalled out at Double-A Portland and not even a move to the bullpen helped last year.
Accordingly, Ball is giving it a second go as a hitter, something that began in the Instructional League last fall. His progress was slowed this spring by a variety of nagging injuries, but he's healthy now and about to be sent to an affiliate soon -- likely Fort Myers of the Gulf Coast League.
"He should start playing games in games in the next couple weeks,'' Crockett reported. "His development has been slowed by limited reps but he keeps working and feels he's progressing. It's tough when you've been away from it for so long, but he needs to keep improving.''
Crockett noted that Ball continues to throw some on the side, just to keep his arm in shape.
"But pitching in games will depend on (where he gets assigned),'' Crockett said. "The priority remains hitting and playing the outfield at this point.''
____________________
Don't think the game is changing?
Part One: In 2013, just six short years ago, exactly one MLB team hit 200 or more homer.
This year? Twenty-two -- or approximately three-quarters of the teams -- are on pace to do so.
And one team, the godforsaken Baltimore Orioles, are on pace to allow 300 homers as a staff. Previous to this season, the Cincinnati Reds allowed 258 in 2016. It's worth noting that Dan Straily was a member of those Reds and is now part of the Orioles staff. He continued to do his part Friday night in allowing four of the six Red Sox homers.
Part two: This week marked the 45th anniversary of a pitching matchup between Nolan Ryan (California Angels) and Luis Tiant (Red Sox).
In a game played on June 14, 1974, the Angels edged the Sox in 15 innings, 4-3. Ryan went 13 innings, struck out 19 and walked 10, while throwing -- please sit down for this one -- 235 pitches. Tiant, for his part, pitched into the 15th and was said to have thrown at least 165 pitches.
And of course, Ryan made his next scheduled start -- on three days rest.
The List/Top 3
In honor of Father's Day, the best father-son duos to have played Major League Baseball. Undoubtedly, there will be other contenders in the years to come, since this year alone, we've seen the sons of Hall of Famers Vladimir Guerrero and Craig Biggio make their major league debuts -- with the same team, no less.
But for now, there are the three best pairs.
1. Ken Griffey/Ken Griffey Jr.: Over a 19-year career, Senior amassed a .296 average and was a three-time All-Star, but Junior eclipsed him with 10 Gold Gloves, an MVP and 630 homers en route to Cooperstown.
2. Bobby Bonds/Barry Bonds: Bobby played for eight teams and amassed 332 homers, but was easily eclipsed by Barry, who hit 762 homers and a staggering seven MVP awards.
3. Felipe Alou/Moises Alou: Felipe Alou collected 2,101 hits over a 17-year career, then went on to manage. He even managed Moises, who had 31 more hits than his dad and belted 332 homers.