Top 5: Baseball Betting's Best Over Umps
By CHRIS BERNUCCA
Last week, we took a look at the umpires who have a tendency toward low scores. This week, we are examining the other end of the spectrum.
First, it should be noted that even at the polar opposites, the umps are following the league-wide trend toward the under, where most teams have played this year.
The best "under" umpires operate at rates as high as 75 percent, while the best "over" umps operate at about 67 percent. It's still a winning formula, just not as pronounced.
Using the same cutoff as last week - a minimum of 20 games behind the plate - most of the umps involved in higher-scoring games began their careers 10 years ago. Two actually went to the same college at the same time.
Dan Iassogna (10 years)
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Iassogna became a full-time ump in 2004 and has worked two Division Series. The over is 16-10 when he is calling balls and strikes, including 8-3 when the total is 9.5 or more.
Iassogna's runs per game is 11.0, fourth-highest among qualified umps and second in this group.
Mike Everitt (10 years)
Everitt is among the best young umps in the game, having already worked five Division Series, three League Championship Series and the 2007 World Series. He was behind the plate for Kevin Millwood's 2003 no-hitter.
The over also is 16-10 when Everitt wears the equipment, even though his homers and runs per game are not stratospheric. With totals of 9.5 or more, the over is 10-2 with Everitt.
Jim Wolf (eight years)
Wolf is the brother of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf. In 2003, Ivan Rodriguez - then with eventual World Series champion Florida - openly accused him of making calls that hurt the Marlins and, in turn, helped the Philadelphia Phillies, his brother's team at the time.
MLB has taken steps to ensure Wolf, who worked a Division Series in 2007, works as few of his brother's team's games as possible. He never works the plate when his brother pitches.
The over is 16-10 when Wolf is calling the plate. His homers per game of 2.37 is second highest among this group.
Tim McClelland (26 years)
One of the tallest umps at 6-6, McClelland had quite an introduction to the major leagues. In his 1983 rookie season, he initially ruled George Brett out in the infamous "Pine Tar" game. He also worked David Wells' perfect game in 1998 and Sammy Sosa's corked bat game in 2003.
Known for his consistently-small strike zone, McClelland has worked four World Series. The crew chief also has been behind the plate for the one-game playoffs at the end of each of the last two seasons.
The over is 16-9 when McClelland is calling balls and strikes and it's easy to see why. His 11.8 runs per game leads all umpires, his 2.39 homers per game is highest in this group and his 61.1 strike percentage is lowest in this group.
McClelland often works in a crew with Ted Barrett and Andy Fletcher, who are among the top "under" umpires. That probably makes for some interesting philosophical discussions to pass travel time.
Jeff Nelson (10 years)
Nelson also has a reputation as a good young umpire, having already worked five postseasons, including the 2005 World Series.
The over is 15-8 when Nelson is behind the plate. He has a homer average of 2.32 and works in a crew with Tim Tschida, whose run average of 11.2 is third overall.
Jim Reynolds (10 years)
A bocce player and the fourth member of this group who began his career in 1999, Reynolds also went to UConn, one year apart from Iassogna. In an odd twist, he worked the last game at Tiger Stadium and the first at Comerica Park in Detroit.
The over is 14-7 with Reynolds behind the plate, including 6-1 when set at 9.5 or higher. His average runs of 9.8 is by far the lowest in this group, but he works in a crew with Tim Welke, whose run average of 11.3 is second among all umps.