from flamarlins.com

MIAMI -- Marlins left-hander Mark Redman said umpire Jim Wolf is a professional who would not have his calls influenced by the fact he is the brother of Phillies All-Star pitcher Randy Wolf.

 

Controversy stirred after Redman responded to a question regarding Jim Wolf after the Marlins lost, 6-4, to the Dodgers on Thursday, in a game that featured three close plays at first base that went Los Angeles' way.

 

Redman, who gave up four runs in five innings and suffered the loss, took time on Saturday to clarify his comments. The left-hander wants it clear that he is not questioning the integrity of Wolf, the first base umpire on Thursday.

 

"The calls that were made were so close," Redman said. "They were judgment calls. Unfortunately, it didn't go our way. Do I have anything against Jim Wolf? No. Do I think it influences his calls because his brother plays for another team? No. I think he's a professional in his business."

 

Specifically asked if it crosses his mind that Jim is the brother of Randy, Redman says: "It's in the back of your mind. Like if I was, say, in the minor leagues, and there was a teammate and there was one spot open in the big leagues. And we're both doing good, and he's pitching that night. I want him to win because he's my best friend. But in the back of my mind, I want to do better. Actually, I don't want him to do as good as me. It's that type of approach.

 

"Is it in the back of my mind that, he's a brother and he's in the same league? Does it run in the back of our mind (as players)? We all think negatively like that. But does it influence his calls? No."

 

Redman pointed out that when he was removed from the game, Wolf made a close call in the Marlins favor.

 

"Those three plays were so close," Redman said. "One of them, he was safe. And the other two were so close you would have to go frame-by-frame -- one at a time -- and they could have gone either way. In those circumstances, he's doing the best job."

 

Redman wasn't with the team on Friday because his wife, Brandi, gave birth to the couple's second child, Riley Elaine. On Saturday, Redman received phone calls from family and friends in San Diego and Oklahoma. His comments about Wolf moved in wire reports, and Redman was disturbed that he felt exactly what he said Thursday wasn't properly represented.

 

"I'm not trying to come down and make it much harder for him," Redman said. "And I definitely don't want to make it much harder on myself, or that umpire crew or Jim, or stir something up on the Florida Marlins organization or my teammates. We don't need anything stirred up."

 

Redman takes pride in maintaining peace with the umpires, often interacting casually with them.

 

Redman credits Jim Wolf for remaining focused on a ball hit to first where he had to cover the base.

 

"Actually, I joked about it," Redman said. "I said, 'You know what? I think I need to break a little quicker.' I asked, 'Did you see if I broke a little late?' He said, 'I was watching the play.' That was a good response. He wasn't watching me. He was watching the play."

 

well, there ya have it

cuz he know he'll be behind the plate a few more times this season. Its just like how you shouldn't piss off the people who serve your food. You don't want ball sweat in your Nachos Bellgrande do you?

Redman might have a point with his criticism, I watched that Dodger series, and half of the calls were just plain AWFUL. Most of the bad ones were made by Wolf too.....coincidence? :mischief2 :mischief2 :mischief2

Specifically asked if it crosses his mind that Jim is the brother of Randy, Redman says: "It's in the back of your mind. Like if I was, say, in the minor leagues, and there was a teammate and there was one spot open in the big leagues. And we're both doing good, and he's pitching that night. I want him to win because he's my best friend. But in the back of my mind, I want to do better. Actually, I don't want him to do as good as me. It's that type of approach.

 

Bud Selig should suspended Redman for that little brain fart.