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Long time MLB
umpire Brian Runge was fired for failing the MLB's drug test.
bleacherreport.com
MLB Umpire
Brian Runge Reportedly Fired Following Drug Violation
The reasoning behind Major League Baseball umpire Brian Runge's strange
midseason dismissal has reportedly come to light.
According to reports from Ben Walker of the Associated Press, two
sources close to the situation have confirmed Runge's firing came as a
result of a failed drug test, as he then failed to complete the terms
of his agreement to stay on the staff. The drug that led to Runge's
dismissal is unknown at this time.
As part of their agreement with MLB, umpires are subject to random drug
tests. The exact scope of the testing is unclear, as is what the
compliance policy is once a positive test happens. It's unknown whether
Runge failed another test, or whether he merely did not complete an
MLB-required stipulation of his initial agreement.
The league office announced Runge's dismissal on June 14. According to
Walker, this represents the first known firing of an umpire due to
violations of MLB's drug policy.
Runge has been a major league umpire for nearly a decade-and-a-half,
starting his career in 1999. The son and grandson of former MLB umpires
Paul and Ed Runge, Brian helped the family become the first
third-generation officials in league history. In 2009, Brian joined his
father and grandfather as the only said combination to call a no-hitter
behind the plate, when San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez
blanked the San Diego Padres.
Last year, Runge became just the 10th umpire in league history to call
multiple no-hitters in the same season. He called Chicago White Sox
pitcher Philip Humber's perfect game in April and then was behind the
plate less than two months later when the Seattle Mariners threw a
combined no-no against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 43-year-old Runge was also part of the 2012 All-Star Game crew in
Kansas City. He also worked three different playoff series, though
never any deeper than the Divisional Series.
Runge was injured late in the 2012 season and went on leave. Though
still employed by Major League Baseball, Runge had not worked a game in
the bigs since last August. He worked some in Triple-A before being
replaced on MLB's staff by former longtime minor league ump Chris
Conroy.
There had not been an umpire removed from his position midway through a
season previously since 2000, which was due to injury.
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