MLB official thought Manfred would stop Hernández for Series

NEW YORK (AP) — A major league official testified he suggested Ángel Hernández be removed from consideration for the 2015 World Series because he did not think Commissioner Rob Manfred would approve the umpire to work baseball’s premier event.

Hernández sued Major League Baseball in 2017, alleging race discrimination and cited his failure to be assigned to the World Series since 2005 and MLB's failure to promote him to crew chief.

Documents and depositions from pretrial discovery were filed late Friday night and early Saturday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan as part of Hernández’s motion for a partial summary judgment.

A member of the big league staff since 1993, the Cuba-born Hernández worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005. He was not picked after Joe Torre was hired in 2011 to head baseball operations.

Steve Palermo, an umpire supervisor, sent an email on Oct. 16, 2015, to Randy Marsh, the director of umpiring, recommending Hernández for the World Series along with Phil Cuzzi, Gerry Davis, Marvin Hudson, Dale Scott, Bill Welke and Jim Wolf. Palermo copied Torre and Peter Woodfork, the senior vice president of baseball operations.

Woodfork forwarded the email to Matt McKendry, senior director of umpire operations, and wrote on top: “Four new umpires and the guy in the middle of the largest debacle.”

Woodfork sent a text message to Torre, the chief baseball officer, on the afternoon of Oct. 16 that read: “Angel is going to be a no for Rob.”

Rich Rieker, director of umpire development, sent an email to Woodfork later that day, stating: “I do not know the totals. They are just suggestions. Put who you and Joe want in from the suggestions. Take Ángel out if you want. Any supervisor or director that told any umpires about any lists should be...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/MLB-official-thought-Manfred-would-stop-15226362.php