With less than 50 games under his belt, James Jean easily ranks among the least experienced active major league umpires. However, practice makes perfect, and Jean could eventually become a crew chief with enough success.
Saturday afternoon, Yankees and Mets fans found something they could agree on: even if he’s learning, they want Jean nowhere near their games moving forward.
Both team’s fanbases crushed Jean following the Mets’ 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Fans ripped Jean’s strike zone and a bizarre umpire interference call that nullified a successful sixth-inning double steal by the Yankees.
“Maybe [Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu] still grounds out harmlessly, but that changes the entire complexion of the inning,” wrote one X/Twitter user. “Very well could have meant the go-ahead run would score.”
Added another: “2nd year umpire pulled a rookie move. He penalizes the Yankees because he was too close to the catcher. What a joke.”
Irate Yankees fans questioned how a ball is still live if it hits an umpire but not if a catcher’s arm accidentally makes contact with the umpire.
“But [isn’t] the Umpire considered a part of the field?” one fan asked. “So how can he call that [on] himself LMFAO.”
MLB umpire James Jean in 2025
Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Jean didn’t escape the Mets’ fans’ wrath, though, with many complaining about an inconsistent late-game strike zone.
“James Jean is terrible,” former Mets minor-league pitcher John Mincone wrote.
Mincone wasn’t the only ex-athlete chiming in, with former Hofstra and Kansas City Chiefs receiver Chris Manno also ripping Jean on X/Twitter.
“Umps still convinced 45K folks come out to watch them ump,” Manno commented. “I want to COMPLETELY forget you all exist!”
