Rays ask ump if they can pay invoice in installments because of tough economy

TAMPA BAY, FL — Even though the Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series, some things about them still show that they are a small market team.

For example, umpire Kerwin Danley was asked by the Rays management on Friday if they can make their $25,000 payment in exchange for Danley’s lopsided umpiring in installments.

“We don’t want to do anything insane,” said Stuart Steinberg, the Rays principal owner. “We’re not asking Kerwin for anything out-of-the-ordinary. We just want him to accept $500 a month for the next 50 months, and he’ll be totally paid off. I think that’s fair, no?”

The Rays owe Danley the $25,000 for two “missed” calls; an awkward strikeout-turned-walk that allowed Rocco Baldelli to reach first early in the game, and a crucial hit-by-pitch on Jimmy Rollins that Danley somehow “failed to see.”

Danley, however, was frustrated.

“Even with the discount that I gave them for the Cole Hamels balk, they are still nickel-and-diming me on this,” Danley said. “Listen, I understand that they’re a small market team, but I’m a small market umpire, and I need this $25 grand. My kids gotta eat too.”

The Rays, however, are hopeful that they can work something out with Danley that won’t distract the team.

“It’s tough,” Steinberg told SSNN. “This is how business works. You make deals, but sometimes you have to get in there and reconsider the terms a little bit, to fit your specific needs. I think we could probably do about $750 a month, if he’ll take that; that way he’d be filled in about 33 and 1/3 months. Will you ask him if he’ll take that? I think he’s kind of mad at me.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!