As They See 'Em: Q&A with Author Bruce Weber

The fact that "kill the ump" has become part of our national lexicon is evidence that everyone has an opinion about the men tasked with maintaining fairness and order on the diamond.Outspoken former shortstop and Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's take, for example:"Everyone has their own strike zone," Guillen said. This year they come up to us and say, 'We're gonna call the strike zone from here to here" -he sliced the air at the knees and the letters - "but they have to say something every year to make us think they're working. But if Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez or Greg Maddux, Tom Glavin is pitching, it's a strike. Jose Cruz pitching? It's a ball. Same way for hitting. You're fucking Wade Boggs? That's a ball. You're Frank Thomas? That's a ball. Ozzie Guillen hitting? Strike, get the fuck out."Polarizing baseball commissioner Bud Selig once said something intelligent (believe it or not). When referring to the unenviable job, Selig put it best when he said, ...