Commissioner Rob Manfred has kind words for MLB umps at a time many in baseball don't

Umpires are about the least popular people in baseball at the moment. Players and managers alike have been screaming at the men in blue for days because of bad calls and bad manners.

Enter commissioner Rob Manfred, who expressed some sympathy for the arbiters Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the owners meetings in Chicago, Manfred defended umps' overall aptitude. He lauded their "phenomenal accuracy," which he said reaches "well over" 90 percent.

So, no, "robot umps" and e-strike zones are not on the way, and not just because the technology isn't ready.

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“There is a human aspect to that, a work aspect to it, that’s always been an important part of our game," Manfred said, according to USA Today. "I don’t think you can just jump to the conclusion that if you have to technology to do it that’s the right thing for your product.’’

As for the vitriol being directed at umps — see Ian Kinsler, Ben Zobrist, Joe Maddon, Mike Matheny and A.J. Hinch — Manfred isn't too sympathetic to those doing the woofing, although he isn't about to mandate robot players.

“It is not unusual after a very competitive event for a player to say something that we don’t think is helpful over the long term," Manfred said, according to USA Today. "We have always dealt with those by player discipline and fines. That’s the ordinary course."

Where Manfred did push back on umpires was in the context of Joe West's three-game suspension for calling Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre the biggest complainer in the game. Manfred was unmoved by Beltre saying he took no offense and believed West was only joking. He also was not happy with the World Umpires Association, the umps' union, ripping the decision.

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“I actually sat down with Joe West after his public comments. He and I agreed that a three-day suspension was the appropriate discipline for his violation of the collective bargaining agreement," USA Today quoted Manfred as saying. Manfred said umpires "have to be beyond reproach on the topic of impartiality."

In the main, however, Manfred is supportive in those who keep order on the field. On that score, he's going against the grain right now.