Jim Palmer, the MASN broadcaster and former Baltimore star pitcher, did not hold back in his criticism of MLB umpire C.B. Bucknor after a recent game between the Orioles and the Yankees. Palmer expressed his dissatisfaction with Bucknor’s officiating style, particularly questioning his suitability for the job.
During the first inning of the game, Yanks pitcher Nestor Cortes threw a low pitch that was called a strike by Bucknor. This decision set Palmer off on a tirade against the umpire, questioning his understanding of the strike zone. “You kind of wonder how bad he’s going to be and he’s shown us already in the first inning,” Palmer exclaimed. “All you want is a guy who understands the strike zone. That’s on the ground.”
Palmer did not stop there. He went on to say, “He shouldn’t be umpiring and he is, and they know it.” The former pitcher was clearly frustrated with Bucknor’s performance and did not mince words in expressing his opinion. He even compared it to his own experience as a pitcher, stating that when he couldn’t get people out, he became a broadcaster.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bucknor’s calls, the Orioles still managed to secure a 4-2 victory over the Yankees in that game. However, they were unable to maintain their winning streak and lost 2-0 to the Yankees in the following game of the series.
This incident with Bucknor is just one example of umpires coming under fire this season. In another notable incident, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected from a game after an umpire mistakenly thought something a fan had said had come from the dugout. These incidents highlight the importance of accurate officiating in baseball and raise questions about the suitability of certain umpires for their roles.
Bucknor’s performance this season has been particularly scrutinized. According to Umpire Scorecards, he has a 91.6 percent accuracy rating on pitches called, which is tied for the lowest among umpires who have worked at least five games this season. This low rating only adds fuel to the criticism against him and further supports Palmer’s argument that Bucknor should not be umpiring.
Despite the tension between Palmer and Bucknor, play-by-play man Kevin Brown tried to lighten the mood with a quick joke, suggesting that Bucknor would join them in the broadcast booth the following day. However, it remains to be seen if Bucknor will take any action in response to Palmer’s criticism.
As the MLB season continues, it is clear that umpires will continue to face scrutiny for their decisions. While some may argue that human error is part of the game, incidents like these raise questions about the suitability of certain umpires for their roles. The controversy surrounding Bucknor’s strikeout call has ignited a larger conversation about the importance of accurate officiating and the need for umpires who can consistently make correct calls.
