Are MLB Umps in the KKK?

[Redtail]

If you needed any more proof that stupidity is boundless. These people were going door to door asking the Umpire's neighbors questions like, "Does he grow marijuana plants?" "Does he beat his wife?" "Is he a member of the KKK?"


http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7738392?MSNHPHMA

1. I truly feel bad for the umps in this case. Now by the law of moron avg. some of these guys are gonna get watched like a hawk, and while joking around with his wife and/or kids is gonna get the cops called on him. Having said that....

2. Did they ask the neighbors of Black and Hispanic umps, "Are they in the KKK?" If yes, please tell me they videotaped these Q&A sessions.


3. I might get (at the least) Yellow carded for this but I've been giggling about it since I read the article. I just keep picturing the ump going

STEEERIKE ONE!jungle bunny

[coalesce]

Maybe it was the same guys who asked Doug Williams how long he's been a black quarterback.

Michael

[Sir Robin Goodfellow]

Are there a lot of baseball officials who are minorities?

[Marquis de Carabas]

Maybe it was the same guys who asked Doug Williams how long he's been a black quarterback.
Except that those guys don't actually exist (http://www.snopes.com/sports/football/williams.asp).

[SezMe]

While I think the MLB approach is disgusting, there is a basis for concern (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/sports/basketball/02refs.html). Sure, it's a different sport, but the issue is racial bias by refs/umps. However, the crap about spousal abuse, for example, is out-of-bounds (ha, little play on words there, I suppose :)).

[ConspiRaider]

America's Favorite Pastime: Snooping.

[Foolmewunz]

While I think the MLB approach is disgusting, there is a basis for concern (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/sports/basketball/02refs.html). Sure, it's a different sport, but the issue is racial bias by refs/umps. However, the crap about spousal abuse, for example, is out-of-bounds (ha, little play on words there, I suppose :)).

What is the legitimate area of concern? They were investigating the umpires, supposedly, in reaction to the NBA investigation of a referee for betting on games within his sport. There was no mention of a racist angle in the originally cited article.

So what does the KKK have to do with gambling? Sure, they're a bunch of reprehensible miscreants, but I've never heard of Little Johnny throwing the series to pay for his hood and robe.

Wife beating, wild parties, KKK membership, police at the house. How many of those sound like indications of a gambling problem and thus a possible character flaw that might leave you exposed to possible blackmail from the bad guys.

Ya know what? MLB can go screw off. For years, they did the most woefully weak and stupid policing of steroids and performance enhancing drugs of any sport, they arrived at the party late, and instead of a private investigation.... Well, they are the national pastime, so they get a Senator to head up the investigation. And come up with the shocking conclusion that OMG, some major players were using steroids! Shocked! Shocked, I say! (Note to investigators, when the 5'2" shortstop is challenging for the HR title, you might want to check his water bottle, as when the 6' tall firstbaseman puts on 40 kilos and 14 inches in muscle in 9 months.)

This ploy on the umpires stinks of muckraking and witch-hunting. They're looking to weaken them before the next round of negotiations.

[SezMe]

I've read the OP link again and I think Foolmewunz has a valid point. While I think racism is a concern in sports umping/refering this investigation has nothing to do with that concern.

Mea culpa. I withdraw my comment.

[Foolmewunz]

I've read the OP link again and I think Foolmewunz has a valid point. While I think racism is a concern in sports umping/refering this investigation has nothing to do with that concern.

Mea culpa. I withdraw my comment.

Hey, good on you! I sort of assumed that, which is why I wasn't so pointed in my comments. My anger was more addressed to the clowns who run MLB.(I'm reading through a thread right now in which The Fool is valiantly defending a position although he's proceeded to put about four feet in his mouth. How much easier to just say, "Ya know... I didn't really get that right." I've done it myself and it sure does make life easier 'round here.)

[coalesce]

Except that those guys don't actually exist (http://www.snopes.com/sports/football/williams.asp).

Hoisted by my own petard--and boy, does it hurt!

Thanks for pointing that out.

Michael