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So, who was it? Jim Joyce? Chuck Meriwether? Mike Reilly? Doug Eddings?

Star-divide

I saw this quote in the P-I article on RJ's return to Seattle tomorrow:

So dominant was Johnson that before a game in 1993, the home plate umpire told Mariners catcher Dave Valle, "They don't even need you with Randy pitching."
"What are you talking about?" replied Valle, who would not name the ump.
"He's so good they don't need you. Let me call the pitches tonight."
"I let him call every pitch." recalls Valle, to whom the umpire whispered pitches under his breath.
An overpowering Johnson went the distance in a Mariners victory.

The full article is here: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1155646/index.htm

What to make of this???

0 recs  |  Comment 23 comments

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So, to sleuth...

Quick — someone look over all of RJ’s starts in 1993 on RetroSheet. Check for complete games, and compile the list of umps. It would be interesting to see that list…

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on May 21, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Could have been:

Jim McKean, Tim Welke, Dale Scott, Ken Kaiser, Joe Brinkman, Ed Hickox, or Drew Coble.

by shinallsrevenge on May 21, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know, I read this yesterday, and it just seems too good to be true.

You’d think the batters would notice and someone would have said something. That’s just amazingly unprofessional for an ump.

by Teej on May 21, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

We need to sic Rob Neyer on this.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't believe this

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on May 21, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes

I’ve had one too many. Six packs that is.

by chrisisasavage on May 21, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Val has mentioned this during a game a couple times.

Anybody recall this as well? I’m probably inventing a memory now that I’ve had all day to think about it.

by Kermit. on May 22, 2009 1:06 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Which is why I doubt that it's 100% true

Stories like this take on the ring of truth over the years even if they’re just apocryphal.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on May 22, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That would almost be guaranteed to be a complete game.

I figure the ump would call more borderline strikes if he was calling the pitches.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on May 22, 2009 4:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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