Retiring umpire Laz Diaz bemoans ‘nasty’ environment around MLB
According to USA Today, Diaz is one of seven umpires to accept a buyout.
Detroit Tigers legend Justin Verlander will make his final Major League Baseball appearance at Comerica Park this Saturday, September 26. Home-plate umpire Laz Diaz, who has a storied career, will be on the mound to oversee that milestone. Diaz, who will be retiring after the regular season, is the second Latino crew chief in MLB history.
Diaz, 63, only has a few games left as a regular-season umpire before the buyout. He remembers the game differently than it is now. When Diaz started in 1995, there were no video reviews, ABS system, challenges, pitch-coms, mandatory substance checks, public umpire scorecards, or hot mics. Diaz believes the game has become too technical and is too scrutinized, which is why he doesn't enjoy it as much anymore.
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