Great story in The New York Post:
The Yankees closer ripped the umpire after West criticized the Yankees and Red Sox over the pace of their games. West was the crew chief for this week’s series between the teams.
“It’s incredible,” Rivera told The Post. “If he has places to go, let him do something else. What does he want us to do, swing at balls?”
West made his comments to NorthJersey.com after Angel Hernandez refused
several requests for time out by Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada working the plate Tuesday. Before Wednesday’s game, West told the newspaper the teams were “pathetic and embarrassing” and a “disgrace to baseball.”Those comments did not go over well with Rivera.
“He has a job to do. He should do his job,” Rivera said. “We don’t want to play four-hour games but that’s what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do and that’s play our game.”
West doesn’t see it that way.
“They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace,” West said.
“They’re two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? … It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play.”
Is he serious? This is the greatest rivalry in sports and West is calling it “pathetic and embarrassing?” If he wants pathetic and embarrassing, he needs to look no further than the closest mirror.
Players are often fined for criticizing officials, West should be fined for his statements. I look forward to the day when umpires are replaced by K-Zones and infrared sensors and robots.
And Mo gets bonus points in my book for his responses!
