An umpire Klansman

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 30, 2008 8:24 PM CST in News

Ummm...what???

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That would explain this story I just read....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_umpires_background_checks

Oh Man!!!!

by SwiperNoSwiping on Jan 30, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions

OK - I've read both things again

The press release from the WUA is idiotic. To ask what being a member of the KKK has to do with being an umpire is a stupid question, because it implies that maybe umpires are members of the KKK, maybe they're not. That's a dumb position to take. Also, it sounds like the WUA is overreacting just a bit. On the other hand, MLB's approach to this seems a bit over the top (although if the WUA had agreed, perhaps the investigation would have had more tact). Finally, that blog writers comment that the WUA didn't deny KKK membership is just stupid.

Other than that, good job by everyone.

"When I was a pup, we got spanked by presidents 'til the cows came home! Grover Cleveland spanked me on two non-consecutive occasions!" LBrooks

by WyoRanger on Jan 31, 2008 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

If this is true...

...I would like to know the break down of calls with him behind the plate when there is a Latin, Asian or black player pitching or hitting opposed to a white kid.

Piss off nut chucker... Boomer Sooner!

by boomer1 on Jan 30, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply actions

Don't forget jewish or catholic players

Troy I.

by tdi1985 on Jan 30, 2008 8:57 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

Piss off nut chucker... Boomer Sooner!

by boomer1 on Jan 30, 2008 8:59 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe this expains Milton's tirade

at the end of last season.

Fire Todd Dodge.

by sprite on Jan 30, 2008 8:54 PM CST reply actions

This has the potential

to get very ugly. I actually would care quite a bit more about this kind of thing than I do about steroids or other PEDs.

Shoehorn.

by t ball on Jan 30, 2008 8:56 PM CST reply actions

No doubt

Piss off nut chucker... Boomer Sooner!

by boomer1 on Jan 30, 2008 8:56 PM CST up reply actions

+1

Now, if they could just figure out a way to nail the bought and paid for umps up in New York and Boston, we'll be doing great!

In all seriousness, this is indeed big. Bigger than PEDs, really. I'll be interested to see how this is handled by the MLB...

"The most important things in life are the things that are the least important" -Yogi Berra

by LSJ on Jan 30, 2008 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

On 2nd thought, I want to know

Why is MLB asking this question? If the justification for the background checks is the NBA betting scandal, what, indeed, does the KKK have to do with it?

If somehow MLB received evidence of an ump belongig to a group like the KKK, than by all means investigate it. But if you just throw that question in there in a general background check it sounds like a fishing expedition.

Shoehorn.

by t ball on Jan 31, 2008 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting article...

...but terribly written! How could they screw up such an interesting story?

by Minnesota Texan on Jan 30, 2008 9:00 PM CST reply actions

+1

Agreed, that was brutal.

by nsolomon on Jan 30, 2008 9:28 PM CST up reply actions

+2

Horribly written. From the WUA, it appears as if there was an investigation. The press release quote doesn't mention finding an ump involved then the writer's article says there is an ump involved.

"One notes that there is no denial of said umpire being a member of the Klan, but instead Lamell McMorris states, "One has to ask, what does the KKK have to do with being a major league umpire?"

by Parman @ Lone Star Ball on Jan 31, 2008 7:07 AM CST up reply actions

Bad title

Baseball is asking a question, but why?

Seems like they are trying to do whatever it takes to get people's minds off of their(MLB) naiveness of steroids in baseball...

"Lois, undecided voters are the biggest idiots on the planet, try giving short, simple answers."

by Longhorn on Jan 30, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions

Bad all around

A background check (professionally conducted) is one thing, but walkaround hearsay by a league employee? I can just imagine the umpires' union going ballistic over this. Not even to mention the stain and bad PR.

'At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any.' Erk Russell / Georgia Southern

by Ed Coffin on Jan 30, 2008 9:54 PM CST reply actions

I imagine they had a tip.

Otherwise it would be an awfully random question to ask.

As an aside, I support freedom of speech, but it's the Klan considered to be a "terrorist organization"? I believe there are fiscal ties between it and some skinhead gangs. So if one were to give financial support to the KKK by, say, paying dues, wouldn't that be the same thing as giving money to Osama bin Laden?

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Jan 30, 2008 9:58 PM CST up reply actions

Really?

"One notes that there is no denial of said umpire being a member of the Klan".

So this whole thing is based on a non-denial?

Calm down, folks.

The 40 (still) trumps all!!!

by thedirkatron on Jan 30, 2008 9:58 PM CST reply actions

It's sorta like

"so, when did he stop beating his wife?"

"When I was a pup, we got spanked by presidents 'til the cows came home! Grover Cleveland spanked me on two non-consecutive occasions!" LBrooks

by WyoRanger on Jan 30, 2008 10:58 PM CST up reply actions

So...

...think anyone ever asks if Chuck Meriweather is in the KKK?

by Inkara1 on Jan 30, 2008 10:40 PM CST reply actions

will make for interesting banter

in the batter's box

by ab03 on Jan 30, 2008 11:20 PM CST reply actions

I want more information/quotes from the sources

The one first-hand account I read said that the question was posed, "Does [umpire x] belong to any private organizations or clubs?"

The neighbor asked, "Like what?"

According to the report, the investigator then said (seemingly jokingly), "You know, like the KKK." The neighbor said they both laughed at the comment.

Are other neighbors corroborating the WUA's claim or is the WUA blowing one neighbor's account way out of proportion?

I lack the required experience to be an intern.

by TheRupeIsOnFire on Jan 31, 2008 12:26 AM CST reply actions

From AP

and later in the story ...

<"He asked if Ron belonged to any groups or organizations," she said.

"Groups?" she remembered replying.

"You know, like the KKK," she said Christopher told her.

"We both laughed and I said no," Rohan said. "He belongs to a neighborhood Harley-riding group of dads.">

If it truly happened three times, I don't think it was a joke. And imo its a reprehensible question joke or not.

Hm

Well if it's happened to more than one umpire, then I guess the investigators weren't working on a tip. Are we sure that the KKK was brought up in all three investigations?

If so, it's time to clean house at the Commissioner's office. Not implying that they had a direct hint at it, but it's time to move on anyway. This is as good an excuse as any.

The investigations themselves aren't a bad thing, but you have to make sure they're conducted in a professional manner. Come on, ya know?

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Jan 31, 2008 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

"hand in it"

not "hint at it". I was distracted.

Ctrl - V

by Dustin on Jan 31, 2008 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

Who

said it happened 3 times? The only 'direct' evidence that's made its way into the media is the cited conversation in the AP report.

Also... let's say the investigator spoke to that neighbor before all the others, "That joke went over pretty well. I'll try that at the next place." Under those circumstances, he could ask the question repeatedly without being serious - expecting to get a cheap laugh, maybe break some tension; after all, that's what jokes are for.

I still say that this is most likely a massive overreaction by the WUA.

Does anyone think there was a reporter foot-race to Jesse Jackson's place? I can't wait for Al Sharpton's opinion on who should be fired...

I lack the required experience to be an intern.

by TheRupeIsOnFire on Jan 31, 2008 2:31 PM CST up reply actions