"You're OUT and You're UGLY Too!"
Confessions of an Umpire with Attitude
by Durwood Merrill with Jim Dent
A Review
by Brent McLaren
Who in our umpire fraternity does not recognize Durwood Merrill? His wrestler's stance, his arms seemingly extending the corners of the plate to new widths, two-handed strike call and patented "Big Out" call have earned him instant recognition amongst umpires and fans. His recent book proves that those hands not only set the width of his "Hall of Fame" strike zone, but the size of his heart when it comes to the game of baseball.
For years I had heard
about Durwood's humor, his unique ability to combine the accurate enforcement of the rules with
the spirit and fun of the game. As I watched him on the field game after game I wished for a
secret microphone so that the I could hear the banter and be part of what was being said out
there. Now some of those moments come to life in the confessions of an umpire, with attitude.
The adjectives and adverbs, "the Merrilisms," abound on every page.
The book requires the reader to have some knowledge of the game, its managers, players and recent history. This is not a book for the reader who does not understand the antics of Sparky Anderson, the character of Lou Pinella or the story behind interleague play. This is one of the strengths of the writing, it does not go into pages of historic descriptions but leaves the uninitiated reader with some study to do, just a little study though. You are never left without some background, the uninitiated reader will not feel left out. If you are a student of the game you will not find yourself wading through pages and pages of bacground information in order for the author to make his point or observation.
In addtion to the above point what are the strengths in the book? First, Merrill is not setting out to please anyone or justify some intense moment in baseball. Merrill is writing about the game as it currently is being played, from the viewpoint of an umpire still at the dish, without an axe to grind or a story to slant. Next, Merrill definitely writes with attitude. There is no escaping this as each page contains an observation, a story, or a viewpoint that comes straight from the field. The book has the feeling of a session in the umpire's locker room after the game. It has a "you are there" style that is grabbing. In particular I liked the chapter entitled "The Art Of Making The Call."
If the book had a weakness it would be in the seeming inconsistencies of the stories being told.
For example, early in the book Merrill defends the use of video replays yet goes on to explain
how they would not have changed his calls. Similarly several times the strike zone of Eric Gregg
in brought into the discussion in a defensive manner while other umpires such as Rich Garcia
don't get off so lightly. Here I bring my own bias to the book, and that in itself is good. I
found myself constantly evaluating the game situations and Merrill's feelings in relation to my
own. I wondered how the video replay would play out on Gregg's strike zone and sympatize with
Garcia for doing just what thousands of umpires have been trained to do and done without incident
one million times each season. What I am left with is an "I'd really like to sit with him and
talk further about why he called .... or feels ...." Ultimately that too is a plus.
This opportunity to view the game as it is being played today from the point of view of the men in blue should not be passed up. This book is a worthwhile addition to your reading shelf. Merrill's book earns a :
- a four plate
rating. (4/5)
..... reviewed May 1, 1998
For Major League Baseball's bio on Durwood Merrill [click here]
- Merrill, Durwood with Jim Dent, "You're Out and You're Ugly Too!"
- Confessions of an Umpire with Attitude
New York, St. Martin's Press, 1998
ISBN : 0-312018237-6
$22.95 (US) $31.00 (Cdn)
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