If I recall correctly didn't Joe West get fined for grabbing Papplebons Jersey? Joe West and Angel Hernandez are some of the worst Umpires to ever be in the sport.
They said he made an inappropriate gesture to the crowd. He got tossed for that reason. He's playing at his home field. What player would make that gesture to their home crowd? Ridiculous call by umpires.
I was there (it was a Sunday afternoon game) and I saw it. Papelbon had blown the save and was being booed vigorously by the home crowd. That's when he made the gesture.
Joe West (Umpire) was suspended 1 game for grabbing Jonathan Papelbon's shirt during an incident. Jonathan Papelbon was suspend 7 games. Yeah, because it was kind of his fault for making contact with Joe West.
I love Joe West. Is he human and does he make mistakes and do umps read too much into actions made by players like this scenario? Yes. But Joe West is a great umpire and he respects the game and expects all players to do the same and if he felt that Pap adjusting his nuts towards the booing fans which he probably did then the right call was made to eject him. Could he have looked the other way or taken Pap aside and told him if he does that again he's getting ran? Sure. But both players and umps are held to the expectation that they maintain the integrity of this great game and sometimes these things happen. Again, look at Joe West's record, he's a great ump.
Maybe I'm in the minority but I've never watched a game where Joe West has screwed over my team. Papelbon is a jerk, let's not sugarcoat this. He was in Joe's personal space. It's not like he initiated physical contact. Now Vic Carapazza, Laz Diaz, Toby Basner (and wife, look it up), and Jim Wolfe are brutal.
I have to laugh at all the comments I constantly see of people, who probably are too lazy to move from there computer, say who the worst umpires are or who the dumbest. If you’re so intelligent how about you put our shoes on and try doing our job for a day. I’m gonna make a wager you wouldn’t last a whole game with the focus, memory, and stamina to do what we do. I’ve refereed football for nearly 4 years now and I know exactly how it feels to have to remember every single thing you learn, keep your eye on the action at all times, and keep order amongst the players. It’s not easy, not in the least. I respect the guys out on the baseball or football field that lace up and uniform up to go maintain the rules of the game. You don’t like how things are called, that’s tough. We have a job to do, we have rules to maintain, and if someone is gonna be a dick like Papelbon was, your damn right we are gonna penalize or throw them out. Show some class and respect and understand how difficult a job we as officials have. Or, as I said, put down the Krispy Kreme and the Big Mac, lace me up, and just try to do our job for a day, just try. Cause I’d be more than happy to sit in the stands and berate you and criticize what your doing and see how YOU like it. Hell, I’d like to come to your place of work and see how you like having one of us officials over your shoulder doing the same crap you do to us.
