Bryce Harper knows that Cash Rules Everything Around Me.
The Phillies’ two-time MVP proposed financial compensation as a way to help improve MLB’s seemingly worsening umpiring woes.
“I enjoy the human aspect of the game, I do, it just has to be done the right way and I don’t know what that would be,” Harper said Monday in Texas as part of All-Star festivities, as transcribed by CBS.
“But the one thing I think, if you’re a really good umpire, I think you should get paid more and that you should umpire more than one game per week behind the plate. Even if we don’t have the challenge system, if the better umpires are behind the plate all the time, I think it’s better for baseball.”
MLB umpiring has become a constant sore topic for the sport, even with universally panned umpire Angel Hernandez no longer calling games.
There have been different ideas floated, including a challenge system that has been used in Triple-A games this season.
Harper seemed open to that idea, saying “if it’s done the right way,” per CBS.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted in May that the challenge system — which uses automated ball-strike (ABS) technology — could be a potential option in the future.
A challenge system, though, doesn’t necessarily improve umpires’ accuracy, and Harper believes money speaks louder.
There seemingly are no repercussions for poor umpires, and having a financial reward tied to performance would put onus on umpires to improve or limit their financial earnings.
MLB already rewards its better umpires with postseason assignments, which comes with added salary, so there already is a minor financial incentive for umpires to avoid glaring mistakes on a daily basis.
John C. Skipper’s 2010 book “Umpires: Classic Baseball Stories from the Men Who Made the Calls” reported that umpires receive $20,000 plus expenses for working the World Series, and earlier rounds result in $17,500 plus expenses, as chronicled by The Sporting News.
Harper’s suggestion seemingly would provide more than just a postseason bonus, potentially paving the way for more umpires to receive boosts.
The eight-time All-Star had a much-publicized spat with an umpire on May 24 when he argued a call following a strikeout, resulting in his ejection in a 3-2 loss to the Rockies.
Harper then ripped home plate umpire Brian Walsh.
“Bummed. I wasn’t trying to get thrown out. Was just having a conversation,” said Harper, who leads all active players with 21 ejections, per NBC. “There are guys who are professionals in this league. They understand it. I guess 120 didn’t understand it.”