Why Fans Aren't Umpires

Jason Michael Barker

Somebody give Sam Holbrook a medal.

Who's Sam Holbrook? He was the home plate umpire in St. Louis on Saturday, and the guy who ejected Mark McGwire for arguing balls and strikes after McGwire struck out looking in the first inning. That's right, he ejected Big Mac. And Cards manager Tony LaRussa. And pitching coach Dave Duncan.

Bravo, Sam Holbrook, for doing the right thing. For not bowing to the media, the fans, the home run-crazy masses. For enforcing the rules as they are written. The Official Rules of Major League Baseball clearly state that you cannot argue balls and strikes. It's right there in section 9.02(a), and Holbrook was simply upholding the rule.

One of the great things about baseball is that for the most part, there are no "superstar calls." Such calls run rampant in the NBA, with negative consequences. If Michael Jordan drives hard to the basket, he's almost guaranteed to draw a foul. If a no-name rookie does the same, he'll wind up flat on his back while the play goes the other way. These calls often affect the outcomes of games - Jordan shoots 10 "extra" free throws, you wind up losing by four points.

Not so in baseball. If a runner is out by a step going to first base, he's out, whether he's Barry Bonds or John Mabry. If Sammy Sosa hits a fly ball to the warning track, they don't give him the extra five feet just because he's Sammy Sosa. The same should be true when it comes to ejections. But you know all that, so let's get back to Saturday in St. Louis.

As you might imagine, the fans in St. Louis were livid. For ten minutes they chanted "We want Mac! We want Mac!" Good for them - I've got no problem with that. The problems began when the fans decided to show their disapproval for the ejection by throwing trash on the field. Not only did that delay the game, but it made them look stupid. Fans shouldn't throw things on the field, no matter what the situation. The lone exception is the tradition of throwing back home run balls hit by the opposing team, but I find that ridiculous as well.

Yesterday's incident brings me to another point regarding the home run chase. Why is it that some fans don't want the game played the way it's supposed to be played? I'm speaking of the fans who boo when McGwire draws a walk, either by his own patience or an intentional pass. When Greg Maddux walks Big Mac (or Sosa, or Griffey), he's doing it for a reason - he wants to win, and he's got a better chance of doing that if he faces a different hitter.

In case you haven't noticed, McGwire is hitting fairly well this season. Maddux isn't trying to piss off the fans, or cheat them out of the hard-earned money they paid to watch McGwire hit. He's trying to win, which is what the fans should be going to the ballpark to see - players trying their hardest to win.

Isn't that what the game's about? It seems that many fans and members of the media have forgotten that, focusing instead on individual performances and statistics. Focusing specifically on the now larger-than-life home runs being hit by McGwire and Sosa. Home runs are nice, but fans need to remember that in the end, all of these players are just trying to win. We shouldn't want it any other way.

See that guy over there? Yeah, the one running around yelling "No more Yankees!" That's Jason Michael Barker. Offer to prescribe treatment for his Yankee shell-shock at jmb@strikethree.com.