West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

Always Johnny-on-the-spot, umpire Lee Hardee watches a pick-off attempt at first base. Brian Gibson assists Lee with the call. When asked to evaluate his performace on the play, the game, and the series, the coy Hardee replied, "If you looked this good in an umpires uniform, would you retire?" "Actually, Bobby, I feel I have a lot to offer this up-and-coming generation of zebras-that's umpire-speak, son. Means umpire. Anyway, where was I Louie? Oh yeah, these whippersnappers need to understand that we are the reason that the fans come out to the ballpark. Without us there would be no game." Enlightening words indeed.