Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner at owners' meeting Nov. 2009 (AP)
Nelson Diaz is an umpiring veteran of more than 25 years. He was chosen to work the 2006 World Baseball Classic and the 2008 Olympics. Sounds like someone you'd want to work big games.
But he is Cuban and it was that country who sent him to umpire international games in which the national team participated.
When he wasn't chosen to officiate at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Rob Neyer of espn.com reports it was because Cuba believed he would defect once sent abroad. That was taken from a published report in El Nuevo Herald..
Almost a year after that decision, Diaz did defect and he arrived on Sunday in Miami. We all know of the umpiring woes experienced in the post-season and the lack of action taken by MLB on expanding the instant replay apparatus.
Any good set of eyes on the field should be welcomed by the game of baseball but there are protocols to follow that might not allow Diaz to suddenly become a member of the major league umpiring rotation. There is a union first of all. Then there are the rites of passage through the minor leagues.
It will be interesting to watch what happens to Diaz and if he is offered a chance to show his skills to MLB. The story is a new one and bears some watching.
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Comments
Did he bring any good pitchers with him?
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