I always tried to learn about the hitters. Anytime someone got a hit off me, I made a mental note of the pitch. He'd never see that one again.
Christy MathewsonRead
Many baseball fans look upon an umpire as a sort of necessary evil to the luxury of baseball, like the odor that follows an automobile.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously compares umpires to an unpleasant but unavoidable aspect of baseball, much like the smell of an engine.
Christy Mathewson's quote reflects the mixed feelings that baseball fans have towards umpires, who are essential for the game's regulation but often seen as a nuisance. By likening umpires to a 'necessary evil,' Mathewson captures the humor and irony of how some aspects of the sport, while crucial, can be perceived negatively by fans.
Themes
UmpireBaseballHumorNecessary EvilFans
In practice
Example use cases
During a baseball game, one could quote this line to lighten the mood when discussing a controversial call.
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