The legendary Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer knows a strike when he sees one. And as a game analyst for MASN calling Orioles games now, Palmer has developed a longstanding feud with umpire C.B. Bucknor.
That beef was enflamed on Tuesday when Bucknor called a low fastball from New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes as a strike in the first inning.
That was all it took for Palmer to go off on Bucknor.
“You kind of wonder how bad he’s going to be and he’s shown us already in the first inning,” Palmer said. “All you want is a guy who understands the strike zone. That’s on the ground.”
As the replay rolled on MASN, Palmer shoved the knife in deeper.
“He shouldn’t be umpiring and he is, and they know it,” Palmer said. “It’s kind of like pitching, when I couldn’t get people out, I became a broadcaster.”
"He shouldn't be umpiring and he is, and they know it."
MASN announcer Jim Palmer rips into home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor (again) pic.twitter.com/Xh7Kw0SAju
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 1, 2024
Palmer has over the years criticized umpires constantly, including Bucknor and Angel Hernandez.
Last April, Palmer went in on Vic Carapazza for back to back outside strikes in a game against the Detroit Tigers, saying on MASN, “You really kind of embarrass your profession when you do that.”
Jim Palmer slams home plate umpire Vic Carapazza for his calls and conduct.
"Just turn around. Go umpire. They didn't come to see you umpire, Vic. It's a bush league call right there. No reason to do that. You really kind of embarrass your profession when you do that." pic.twitter.com/xGEbmLEtKl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 23, 2023
Palmer clearly has a bone to pick with certain umpires, but nothing he is saying seems entirely out of bounds. He calls games on a daily basis and was a legend in the sport. Giving perspective on the long leash umpires are given in spite of their mistakes is part of his job as an analyst.
At the same time, he waits until they make a mistake to address it, and is direct in his criticism.
Palmer may go viral when he takes aim at the guys in blue, but at least he does it with purpose and nuance.
[MASN]
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.