{"id":24763,"date":"2019-09-06T02:02:59","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T06:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=24763"},"modified":"2019-09-07T00:40:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-07T04:40:16","slug":"ejection-inspection-201923-rick-renteria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/09\/06\/ejection-inspection-201923-rick-renteria\/","title":{"rendered":"Ejection Inspection, Week 23: Rick Renteria of the Chicago White Sox Gets Tossed Twice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rick Renteria Gets Tossed Twice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Welcome to Week 23 of Ejection Inspection! The premise and ground rules are detailed here<\/a>. The condensed version: each ejection from the previous week (Thursday through Wednesday) is listed in a table. The author \u2013 a former player\/coach\/umpire \u2013 analyzes each ejection and assigns it an entertainment rating of one to five Weavers in honor of late Baltimore Orioles<\/a> manager Earl Weaver<\/a><\/strong>. This week, with two ejections, Chicago White Sox<\/a> manager Rick Renteria<\/a><\/strong> moved into a three-way tie for first. Cincinnati Reds<\/a> coach Turner Ward<\/a><\/strong> also extended his team\u2019s lead for the season, picking up the 19th non-fight-related ejection of the season. Plus, umpire Mike Estabrook extended his lead with his 11th of the season.<\/p>\n

(For a list of every article in this series, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

There were 10 ejections in Week 23 \u2013 five players, four managers, and a hitting coach.<\/p>\n

Ejection Table<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDate<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam<\/strong><\/td>\nOpp<\/strong><\/td>\nInn.<\/strong><\/td>\nName<\/strong><\/td>\nPos<\/strong><\/td>\nUmpire<\/strong><\/td>\nPos<\/strong><\/td>\nReason<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/a><\/td>\nThu<\/td>\n8\/29<\/td>\nHOU<\/a><\/td>\nTB<\/a><\/td>\nB9<\/td>\nJosh Reddick<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nRF<\/td>\nJordan Baker<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n8\/30<\/td>\nCWS<\/a><\/td>\n@ATL<\/a><\/td>\nB7<\/td>\nRick Renteria<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nBrian Knight<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n8\/30<\/td>\nTOR<\/a><\/td>\nHOU<\/a><\/td>\nB7<\/td>\nVladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n3B<\/td>\nMike Estabrook<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n8\/31<\/td>\nPHL<\/a><\/td>\nNYM<\/a><\/td>\nB3<\/td>\nRhys Hoskins<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nWill Little<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n8\/31<\/td>\nMIA<\/a><\/td>\n@WSN<\/a><\/td>\nT8<\/td>\nLewis Brinson<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nNic Lentz<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/1<\/td>\nMIL<\/a><\/td>\n@CHC<\/a><\/td>\nT7<\/td>\nYasmani Grandal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nC<\/td>\nTim Timmons<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/1<\/td>\nLAA<\/a><\/td>\nBOS<\/a><\/td>\nB9<\/td>\nBrad Ausmus<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nDavid Rackley<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing no balk call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/1<\/td>\nCIN<\/a><\/td>\n@STL<\/a><\/td>\nT7<\/td>\nTurner Ward<\/td>\nHtC<\/td>\nBill Miller<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/a><\/td>\nMon<\/td>\n9\/2<\/td>\nCWS<\/td>\n@CLE<\/a><\/td>\nB5<\/td>\nRick Renteria<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nMark Carlson<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing checked swing vs foul ball<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/a><\/td>\nTue<\/td>\n9\/3<\/td>\nBAL<\/a><\/td>\n@TB<\/a><\/td>\nT8<\/td>\nBrandon Hyde<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nLance Barrett<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing checked swing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Josh Reddick, Houston Astros Right Fielder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Thursday, August 29th, vs. Tampa Bay Rays, bottom of the ninth<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Jordan Baker (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With one out, the bases empty, and the Astros down 9-8, Reddick took a 3-2 pitch halfway down his shins. Thinking he had drawn a walk, he tossed his bat and started toward first. Baker called strike three, and Reddick spun while yelling, \u201cWhat the (expletive)?!? That\u2019s (bleeping) terrible!\u201d Reddick then removed his helmet as Baker pitched him but stopped short of slamming it down. As Reddick continued arguing, he flipped his hair out of his face with a head flick several times.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. Reddick was the game-tying run. He felt he had drawn ball four on a low pitch only to hear Baker ring him up.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Technically, yes, but it seemed quick for the game situation. The tying run had just struck out on a close 3-2 pitch in an exhausting four-hour game. It seemed to call for more patience.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Three Weavers for the multiple hair flips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rick Renteria, Chicago White Sox Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Friday, August 30th, at Atlanta Braves, bottom of the seventh<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Brian Knight (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With runners on first and second, two out, and the Braves leading 6-5, Braves catcher Tyler Flowers<\/a><\/strong> took a 2-2 fastball from White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer<\/a><\/strong>. It narrowly missed inside but looked like it might have broken across the plate. Rick Renteria started yelling protests from the dugout, including \u201cthat was a great pitch\u201d and some others that included more colorful metaphors. Bummer then missed low with another fastball, walking the bases loaded. As Renteria went to the mound to replace Bummer, he gave Knight an earful. Knight bounced him. Renteria finished the pitching change and then sorted things out with Knight during the warmup. Interestingly, the conversation was quite civil and seemed to end with them nodding in agreement. Renteria then headed to the clubhouse.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. It looked like Knight missed what would have been strike three and ended the inning.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. Managers cannot argue balls and strikes. Doing so from a distance during a pitching change will get them tossed every time.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Three Weavers because of how civil it was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto Blue Jays Third Baseman<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Friday, August 30th, vs. Houston Astros, bottom of the seventh<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Mike Estabrook (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With a runner on first, one out, and the Astros ahead 6-2, Guerrero took a pitch near the knees and near the outside corner. Estabrook called a strike that Guerrero saw differently. Vladito snapped his head toward Estabrook in disbelief then stepped out of the box and walked himself calm \u2013 all without a word or gesture. He dug back in and whiffed a curveball away. After striking out, he pointed at Estabrook as if to say, \u201cI swung at that because of your call.\u201d (Microphones and cameras didn\u2019t pick up what he said.) Estabrook held his hand up to tell him that was enough. Guerrero looked back over his shoulder without saying anything, and Estabrook dumped him.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sort of, but telling an umpire that you swung at a pitch because of him is a quick way to get on his bad side.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Technically, yes, but this extremely quick trigger made Estabrook look like a bully. After the warning, Guerrero didn\u2019t say a word. He only looked at Estabrook. Furthermore, he made no argument whatsoever after getting run.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Two Weavers because of the complete lack of a reaction from Guerrero after the ejection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies First Baseman<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Saturday, August 31st, vs. New York Mets, bottom of the third<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Will Little (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This one was goofy. Hoskins came to bat in the bottom of the third with two out and Bryce Harper<\/a><\/strong> on first. Harper stole second on the first pitch, a strike right down the middle. Both TV stations marked the pitch as a ball, causing confusion for the viewers and announcers. The next pitch was a changeup over the middle that caught the lower end of the zone for strike two. Hoskins did not like the call and showed obvious displeasure. The third pitch appeared to be even with the navel. Hoskins thought it was high, but Little called strike three. Hoskins threw his bat in front of him, threw his helmet to the ground in front of him, and told Little, \u201cThat\u2019s awful.\u201d BOOM! See ya.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. He thought the pitch was high.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. He acted like a toddler who didn\u2019t get his way. Hoskins has been around long enough to know that telling an umpire \u201cthat\u2019s awful\u201d about a call is a trigger for many of them.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One Weaver. This was more eye-rolling than entertaining.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lewis Brinson, Miami Marlins Center Fielder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Saturday, August 31st, at Washington Nationals, top of the eighth<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Nic Lentz (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Brinson faced Stephen Strasburg<\/a><\/strong> with two out, nobody on, and a 6-0 deficit. He took the first pitch low and away then fouled two off, making the count 1-2. The fans rose and clapped, urging Strasburg toward strikeout number 14. He threw the next two in the dirt, making the count full, before Brinson fouled two more off. He then took a breaking ball at the top of the zone for strike three. Brinson disagreed, saying, \u201cThat was up,\u201d and the umpire said no. Brinson then spiked his helmet and received his marching orders. En route to the dugout, he yelled, \u201cYou didn\u2019t even give me a warning!\u201d at least three times.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Not really. He shouldn\u2019t be taking those types of pitches. That was an example of a pitch that Yogi Berra<\/a><\/strong> was talking about when he once said that guys in the modern game were taking pitches that put him in the Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. He spiked his helmet in dispute of the call.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One Weaver. This was nothing special.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yasmani Grandal, Milwaukee Brewers Catcher<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sunday, September 1st, at Chicago Cubs, top of the seventh<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Tim Timmons (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Grandal led off the top of the seventh with the Cubs leading, 1-0. On 1-1, he took a pitch near the knees for strike two and didn\u2019t like the call. He said something as the dugout howled. He then took one that was a tiny bit higher than the previous one but was still near the knees. Timmons rung him up. Grandal rolled his eyes, threw his arm up in disgust, and let the bat drop on home plate. BANG! Timmons gave him the heave-ho.<\/p>\n

Brewers manager Craig Counsell<\/a><\/strong> charged onto the field to plead his catcher\u2019s case. Wide-eyed, he told Timmons, \u201cYou can\u2019t do that, Tim! You can\u2019t do that! Not in a game like this! You can\u2019t do that! (Pause) He put the bat down. You\u2019re gonna throw him out? Come on, Tim! Are you kidding me? I\u2019m not gonna calm down, Tim! (Two unclear sentences.) You can\u2019t do that! That\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d He then said something starting with \u201cbull\u201d twice before heading back to the dugout.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Striking out in a 1-0 game is always frustrating, so yes.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Absolutely. What Grandal did was a visually obvious dispute of Timmons\u2019 call.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Three Weavers. Counsell is always fun to watch when he gets charged up, but as a bonus, the expression on on-deck-hitter Christian Yelich<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s face while he watched the argument from the background was great. He stood there like he was watching his science teacher give a lesson while the principal observed the class. To cap it all off, Yelich patted Counsell on the shoulder as he walked by.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brad Ausmus, Los Angeles Angels Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sunday, September 1st, vs. Boston Red Sox, bottom of the ninth<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

David Rackley (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Angels left fielder Brian Goodwin<\/a><\/strong> fouled off an 0-2 pitch with two out and Mike Trout<\/a><\/strong> on first. Ausmus felt that Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman<\/a><\/strong> was not stopping before pitching the baseball. If Workman wasn\u2019t stopping, that\u2019s a balk. Ausmus demanded it from the dugout and ended up being tossed. After the ejection, he came on the field to demand that the umpires make Workman stop. Then Ausmus left the game.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. Coaches always get frustrated when their opponent either doesn\u2019t stop for very long or doesn\u2019t stop at all.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hard to say without knowing what Ausmus said.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One Weaver. This almost went unnoticed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turner Ward, Cincinnati Reds Hitting Coach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sunday, September 1st, at St. Louis Cardinals, top of the seventh<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Bill Miller (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Reds were upset about the first pitch to left fielder Josh VanMeter<\/a><\/strong>, who led off the seventh with the Reds leading, 5-3. It looked to be a bit wide of the plate, but Miller called it a strike. VanMeter flied to left on the next pitch, bringing up second baseman Freddy Galvis<\/a><\/strong>. The first pitch to him clipped the lower outside corner of the zone for a strike. The second pitch came near the top corner for strike two. If it missed, it was inside and not by much.<\/p>\n

Ward yelled at Miller from the dugout, saying, \u201cCome on, at least call them over the plate!\u201d Miller called time, looked to Ward, and said, \u201cAre you yelling at me?\u201d Ward (according to Fox Sports Ohio\u2019s sideline reporter, who was standing right there) responded, \u201cI sure am! Call the game! We gotta be standing out here just like you!\u201d Miller then threw him out and said, \u201cYou\u2019re done!\u201d Manager David Bell<\/a><\/strong> came onto the field to protest the decision. He talked to Miller for about a minute before returning to the dugout.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes, although none of those pitches were egregious.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes. Ward argued balls and strikes, for one, but secondly, Ward is an assistant coach. Umpires will give managers some leeway with arguments, but not with assistants. Also, when Miller asked, \u201cAre you yelling at me?\u201d Ward had an escape. Instead of using it, he went further.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One Weaver. This was dumb.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rick Renteria, Chicago White Sox Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Monday, September 2nd, at Cleveland Indians, bottom of the fifth<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Mark Carlson (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

On a 2-2 count, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor<\/a><\/strong> fouled a low pitch. The catcher shorthopped the ball, so it was a foul ball and not a strike. Rick Renteria barked protest from the dugout, claiming that the catcher caught the ball. Carlson told him the ball hit the ground. Renteria said, \u201cThat\u2019s (bleeping) terrible.\u201d Then he started repeatedly waving his hand toward Carlson as he said, \u201cTerrible!\u201d over and over.<\/p>\n

Carlson booted him, but Renteria sat there, telling Carlson to come over there and throw him out. He obliged, then Renteria told him a few more things before leaving the dugout.<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Renteria was irritated about a few calls earlier, and even though this one was correct, he felt it wasn\u2019t. That added fuel to the fire.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes, and Renteria knew it. When he started repeating, \u201cTerrible!\u201d in a constant loop, it felt like he was trying to get chucked.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One Weaver. Nothing special. It\u2019s like Renteria reads this column, because he\u2019s starting to only say things in a way that the camera can\u2019t pick up his lip movements. He\u2019s also saying more things that are out of range of the microphones.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Tuesday, September 3rd, at Tampa Bay Rays, top of the eighth<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Lance Barrett (HP)<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Orioles pinch hitter Trey Mancini<\/a><\/strong> tried to check his swing while chasing a 2-2 curveball in the dirt. On appeal, first base umpire Nic Lentz ruled that Mancini went around, ending the inning on a strikeout. Mancini screamed at Lentz, who turned his back. Barrett then told Mancini to let it go and return to the dugout, and Mancini complied.<\/p>\n

Hyde came out of the dugout and let Barrett have it. He also went nuts on both Lentz and second base umpire Mike Everitt. During the argument, he kicked dirt over home plate while yelling. His rant lasted several seconds. It involved lots of pointing and words that start with \u201chorse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understand the frustration?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

He was more frustrated with a call in the top of the third. Shortstop Richie Martin<\/a><\/strong> laid down a sacrifice bunt with first baseman Chris Davis<\/a><\/strong> on second. The throw went wide, but Martin was running inside of the foul line, drawing an interference call when he impeded Sogard\u2019s ability to make the catch. The throw sailed wide, Davis scored, and Martin ended up on third. Baltimore thought it had a 1-0 lead, only to have Martin be called out as Davis returned to second. (Davis never scored due to bad baserunning.)<\/p>\n

When the check swing happened, Hyde was yelling about both the checked swing and this call. Both combined for an explosive situation.<\/p>\n

Was the ejection justified?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes, and Hyde seemed to be trying for an ejection.<\/p>\n

Entertainment Rating<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Four Weavers. Earl would have been proud of this one. Yelling\u2026pointing\u2026kicking dirt\u2026lengthy\u2026it was vintage Earl Weaver.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaderboard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After 23 weeks, here are the leaders. Fight-related ejections do not count toward the leaderboard.<\/p>\n

Managers: Renteria, Bell, and Ron Gardenhire<\/a><\/strong> of the Detroit Tigers (eight each)
\nPlayers: Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera<\/a><\/strong> (three)
\nTeam high: Reds (19, 23 if you count the fight), Tigers (11)
\nTeam low: Cleveland Indians (one)
\nUmpire: Mike Estabrook (11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Look for Week 24 on Thursday, September 12th.<\/p>\n

Evan Thompson played baseball as a youth and teenager. He also umpired between 1995 and 2004 and has coached at the high school level.<\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>