Cory Blaser isn’t the worse baseball umpire on the planet.
Although, from the boos the Pomona High School graduate had to endure last Saturday night at Coors Field, it might have sounded like the Colorado native was public enemy No. 1 for Rockies fans.
For those who weren’t one of the 46,783 in attendance or didn’t catch the Rockies’ 8-7 loss on TV, here is a quick synopsis. Blaser called Milwaukee’s Corey Hart safe at home plate on an outfield throw from Dexter Fowler on a flyball out to center field in the seventh inning. The replay clearly showed Colorado catcher Chris Iannetta had tagged Hart before he slid into home.
Blaser ejected Iannetta after the catcher slammed his facemask on home plate arguing the call. Blaser also tossed Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy moments later. It was the second time in as many seasons that Blaser has thrown Tracy out of a game.
For the remainder of the night the 29-year-old heard it from the crowd on every call he made. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki piled on after the game by making it clear he didn’t think Blaser’s strike zone was very consistent.
Nice homecoming for Blaser? Probably not, but that is the life of an umpire or official in any sport at nearly every level. There isn’t much love for the blue, zebra or (insert choice word) that umpires and referees are called.
I’ve had a taste of calling balls and strikes, along with officiating some basketball games. While in high school I worked at the old Jeffco YMCA in Lakewood. It didn’t take me long to come to the conclusion I didn’t have thick enough skin to take constant criticism. It was a short-lived umpiring career.
Keep in mind, I was officiating elementary school children. Parents can be pretty vocal when defending their kids, and pretty mean, too.
While I probably would have been one of the fans booing Blaser on Saturday, later on I would have had sympathy for him. Nobody loves the umpire.