I don't know if Ed Harken has taken over for Bud Selig or what, but the guy who assigned Veronica Corningstone to cover a cat fashion show surely would get a kick out of the fact that professional baseball's only woman umpire, Double-A's Ria Cortesio, will be working one of the foul lines during tonight's home run derby.
Was anyone else even aware that umpires worked this thing? Trained, professional umpires? Isn't this a gig more apt for the Phillie Phanatic or Snoop Dogg or the highest bidder on eBay?
Prior to the World Cup Final, announcer Dave O'Brien mentioned that the ref spoke a number of languages, but neither Italian nor French was among them. I was just hoping his family would see him alive again. One day later, Corningstone Cortesio makes baseball history by working a gig that brings with it the same stress as coaching first base in a pick-up softball game.
Here's hoping Selig joins Chris Berman in the booth and waxes poetic about the advancement of diversiy in the umpring ranks. Mention something about dreams coming true, please. I could use the laughs.
