Tuesday, February 19, 2008

MLB's Glass Ceiling -- Woman Ump Tossed

Back in March of last year, MLB was all about promoting the fact that they were "permitting" long-time minor league umpire Ria Cortesio to work the final major league spring training game of the year. Dutifully, your inconstant correspondent reported, not without a little sarcasm, the announcement.

As we noted at the time, normal umpire progression would have seen Ria in the bigs by the 2007 season. Her seniority placed her next in line for a AAA position, which is under the jurisdiction of Major League Baseball. But, MLB made sure that wouldn't happen -- to her slight surprise, she was released soon after the World Series.

Her mask made it to the Hall of Fame, but MLB apparently has no interest in seeing women invade their turf -- even as umpires. Wouldn't do for Roger Clemens to get squeezed by a woman, now, would it?


Photo Credit: Ria Cortesio, from her Friendster Photo Album.

1 comment:

JerTheAraluan said...

Nice unique post; I had never before thought about that in my life. Shame on me lol. Now that I do think of it though, why would co-ed baseball period be such a bad idea? But we're a looong way from that. Female umps would be a great thing to see in this country.