The "Worst" Umpire Ever Isn’t Actually Bad

The video discusses the active petitions against MLB umpire Angel Hernandez, his controversial calls, the perception of MLB umpiring and its accuracy, and the detailed process of umpire evaluations.

Summary

  • Over 60 petitions aim to fire Angel Hernandez for his umpiring decisions, with several MLB players and the league itself expressing discontent.
  • MLB umpiring is scrutinized with the aid of technology such as Umpire Auditor and umpire scorecards, revealing a complex picture of umpire performance and accuracy.
  • The strike zone's interpretation, the evaluation process for umpires, and the impact of high-profile mistakes on Angel Hernandez's reputation are thoroughly examined.
  • Despite his controversial calls and lawsuit against MLB for racial discrimination, Hernandez is not statistically the worst umpire, and umpire accuracy has improved over the years.

Chapter 1

Introduction to Angel Hernandez and Umpire Petitions

0:00 - 19 sec

Various individuals have organized petitions to get MLB umpire Angel Hernandez fired, with players like Chipper Jones, Bryce Harper, and Pedro Martinez expressing their desire for his dismissal.

Various individuals have organized petitions to get MLB umpire Angel Hernandez fired, with players like Chipper Jones, Bryce Harper, and Pedro Martinez expressing their desire for his dismissal.

  • Chipper Jones avoids MLB games umpired by Hernandez.
  • Bryce Harper has had a heated confrontation with Hernandez.
  • Pedro Martinez and MLB player CCE Zathia have both publicly wanted Hernandez fired.

Chapter 2

MLB's Discontent with Angel Hernandez

0:19 - 28 sec

MLB has issues with Angel Hernandez following a lawsuit he filed against the league for alleged racial discrimination, and his questionable calls on strikes.

MLB has issues with Angel Hernandez following a lawsuit he filed against the league for alleged racial discrimination, and his questionable calls on strikes.

  • Hernandez's lawsuit against MLB has caused tension.
  • A particular strike call by Hernandez was widely criticized for being inaccurate.

Chapter 3

Umpire Metrics and Mistakes

0:47 - 19 sec

Umpire Auditor tracks umpire calls and highlights significant mistakes, showing that even the worst missed call is not unique to Hernandez.

Umpire Auditor tracks umpire calls and highlights significant mistakes, showing that even the worst missed call is not unique to Hernandez.

  • Umpire Auditor has been tracking calls since 2014.
  • The worst missed call in its history was 6.78 inches outside.

Chapter 4

Public Reaction to Umpires Besides Hernandez

1:06 - 25 sec

Other umpires also face public scrutiny and anger for their calls and actions during games.

Other umpires also face public scrutiny and anger for their calls and actions during games.

  • An umpire was criticized for yelling at an injured player.
  • Another umpire was accused of ejecting a manager incorrectly during an argument.

Chapter 5

Challenges of the Umpire's Perspective

1:31 - 46 sec

The video provides an insight into the difficulty of making strike calls from an umpire's point of view without the on-screen box.

The video provides an insight into the difficulty of making strike calls from an umpire's point of view without the on-screen box.

  • Making calls is challenging without the on-screen strike zone box.
  • The perspective from behind the plate can make it difficult to judge the location of pitches accurately.

Chapter 6

Inaccuracy of Calls on Left-Handed Batters

2:17 - 23 sec

The video highlights the inaccuracy of calls made on left-handed batters, with a particular call being the 11th worst of the month.

The video highlights the inaccuracy of calls made on left-handed batters, with a particular call being the 11th worst of the month.

  • A call on a left-handed batter was among the worst of the month.
  • The difficulty in making accurate calls on the plate is emphasized.

Chapter 7

Differing Opinions on Strike Calls

2:41 - 30 sec

Different broadcasts and sources may have conflicting opinions on whether a pitch is a ball or a strike, complicating the umpire's decision.

Different broadcasts and sources may have conflicting opinions on whether a pitch is a ball or a strike, complicating the umpire's decision.

  • Broadcasts from different teams may disagree on calls.
  • MLB.com and Baseball Vont may also provide conflicting information on the same pitch.

Chapter 8

Pat Hoberg's Perfect Game and Controversy

3:11 - 1 min, 12 sec

Umpire Pat Hoberg achieved a perfect game in calls, but still faced criticism for a call that was deemed more accurate than the automated system.

Umpire Pat Hoberg achieved a perfect game in calls, but still faced criticism for a call that was deemed more accurate than the automated system.

  • Pat Hoberg made history with a perfect game of calls.
  • Despite his accuracy, he faced criticism for a call that differed from the broadcast's automated zone.

Chapter 9

Discord Between Players and Umpires

4:23 - 53 sec

Tensions rise between players and umpires, leading to ejections and public disputes over strike calls.

Tensions rise between players and umpires, leading to ejections and public disputes over strike calls.

  • Alex Cora and Alex Verdugo of the Red Sox had confrontations with umpires over calls.
  • Justin Turner of the Dodgers also faced questionable strike calls.

Chapter 10

Angel Hernandez's Infamy and Early Career

5:16 - 1 min, 1 sec

Angel Hernandez's reputation has been shaped by several controversial decisions throughout his career, dating back to his early years as an umpire.

Angel Hernandez's reputation has been shaped by several controversial decisions throughout his career, dating back to his early years as an umpire.

  • Angel Hernandez's controversial calls have had repercussions since early in his career.
  • A particular call in a Mets vs. Braves game escalated tensions and led to physical altercations.

Chapter 11

The Rise of Angel Hernandez's Negative Reputation

6:18 - 2 min, 10 sec

The public's perception of Angel Hernandez as a poor umpire has grown over the years, fueled by various incidents and the proliferation of media coverage.

The public's perception of Angel Hernandez as a poor umpire has grown over the years, fueled by various incidents and the proliferation of media coverage.

  • A call reversal incident involving Angel Hernandez led to widespread criticism and a debate over instant replay.
  • Hernandez's decisions not to reverse calls have been seen as protest against replay technology.

Chapter 12

Angel Hernandez's Lawsuit and Public Reaction

8:28 - 2 min, 18 sec

Angel Hernandez's discrimination lawsuit against MLB intensified public scrutiny of his umpiring decisions.

Angel Hernandez's discrimination lawsuit against MLB intensified public scrutiny of his umpiring decisions.

  • Hernandez's discrimination lawsuit against MLB brought his umpiring decisions under the microscope.
  • Players and fans voiced their negative opinions of Hernandez, and MLB had to publicly back him.

Chapter 13

Umpire Performance and Evaluation Process

10:45 - 10 min, 41 sec

The MLB umpire grading system is discussed, explaining how umpire accuracy is tracked and how the evaluation process affects their careers.

The MLB umpire grading system is discussed, explaining how umpire accuracy is tracked and how the evaluation process affects their careers.

  • The MLB grading system for umpires is based on a curve, with a buffer zone around the strike zone.
  • Umpires who consistently fail to meet accuracy standards face probation and possible dismissal.

Chapter 14

Improvement in Umpire Accuracy Over Time

21:26 - 6 min, 39 sec

Since the introduction of pitch-tracking technology, MLB umpire accuracy has improved each year, contradicting the perception of declining umpiring quality.

Since the introduction of pitch-tracking technology, MLB umpire accuracy has improved each year, contradicting the perception of declining umpiring quality.

  • Umpire accuracy has improved every year since 2008, with fewer missed calls.
  • Despite public perception, Angel Hernandez's accuracy would be considered elite in previous eras.

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