{"id":25105,"date":"2019-09-19T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=25105"},"modified":"2019-09-19T21:06:31","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T01:06:31","slug":"ejection-inspection-20192502-brian-snitker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/09\/19\/ejection-inspection-20192502-brian-snitker\/","title":{"rendered":"Ejection Inspection, September 14th: Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker Defends Charlie Culberson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brian Snitker Loses Mind after Charlie Culberson Injury<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Welcome to Week 25 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 had 14 ejections. Six occurred on one day, Saturday. With only two weeks left in the regular season, this is understandable. One that would have been understandable no matter when it occurred happened on this day. Atlanta Braves<\/a> manager Brian Snitker<\/a><\/strong> went berserk after the Charlie Culberson<\/a><\/strong> injury<\/a> when his substitute did not go to first base.<\/p>\n

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

There were 14 ejections in Week 25 \u2013 six players, six managers, a bench coach, and a first base coach. The six from Saturday appear in this column. For the other eight, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ejection Table<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1<\/a><\/td>\nThu<\/td>\n9\/12<\/td>\nSD<\/a><\/td>\nCHC<\/a><\/td>\nB9<\/td>\nWil Myers<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nRamon De Jesus<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/a><\/td>\nThu<\/td>\n9\/12<\/td>\nTEX<\/a><\/td>\nTB<\/a><\/td>\nT7<\/td>\nChris Woodward<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nMike Muchlinski<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n9\/13<\/td>\nWSN<\/a><\/td>\nATL<\/a><\/td>\nB8<\/td>\nTim Bogar<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nFBC<\/td>\nTim Timmons<\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nArguing checked swing(?)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n9\/13<\/td>\nKC<\/a><\/td>\nHOU<\/a><\/td>\n7\/8<\/td>\nAlex Gordon<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nLF<\/td>\nLance Barrett<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n9\/13<\/td>\nKC<\/td>\nHOU<\/td>\n7\/8<\/td>\nNed Yost<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nLance Barrett<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nCHC<\/a><\/td>\nPIT<\/a><\/td>\nT9<\/td>\nDillon Maples<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nP<\/td>\nAlfonso Marquez<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nHitting a batter after a warning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nCHC<\/td>\nPIT<\/td>\nT9<\/td>\nJoe Maddon<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nAlfonso Marquez<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nPlayer hitting a batter after a warning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nATL<\/td>\n@WSN<\/td>\nT7<\/td>\nBrian Snitker<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nBill Welke<\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nArguing checked swing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nKC<\/td>\nHOU<\/td>\nT2<\/td>\nDale Sveum<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nBeC<\/td>\nChris Guccione<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nSD<\/td>\n@COL<\/a><\/td>\nT5<\/td>\nEric Hosmer<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nCarlos Torres<\/td>\n3B<\/td>\nArguing checked swing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n9\/14<\/td>\nSD<\/td>\n@COL<\/td>\nT5<\/td>\nAndy Green<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nCarlos Torres<\/td>\n3B<\/td>\nDefending his player<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/15<\/td>\nPHL<\/a><\/td>\nBOS<\/a><\/td>\nB4<\/td>\nBryce Harper<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nRF<\/td>\nGabe Morales<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/15<\/td>\nPHL<\/td>\nBOS<\/td>\nB4<\/td>\nGabe Kapler<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nGabe Morales<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n9\/15<\/td>\nATL<\/td>\n@WSN<\/td>\nT5<\/td>\nMatt Joyce<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nRF<\/td>\nBill Welke<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dillon Maples, Chicago Cubs Pitcher
\nJoe Maddon, Chicago Cubs Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Saturday, September 14th, vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, top of the ninth<\/p>\n

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

Alfonso Marquez (HP)<\/p>\n

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

The Pirates had plunked four Cubs hitters in the first six innings. After the fourth \u2013 David Bote<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Marquez issued warnings. Bote was livid since it was the second time of the season that Clay Holmes<\/a><\/strong> had drilled him.<\/p>\n

In the ninth, Maples hit Elias Diaz<\/a><\/strong> and Erik Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong> in consecutive at-bats, though not on consecutive pitches. After the second, Marquez threw Maples out, and, by rule, had to eject Maddon as well.<\/p>\n

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

The Cubs didn\u2019t seem to be frustrated since they were ahead 14-1 at the time. If this were a close game, they probably would have been, though. Maples has had control problems all year. The first HBP was a slider that got away from him, and the second was a curveball that had done the same.<\/p>\n

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

It didn\u2019t seem like it. Keep in mind, however, that Marquez was backed into a corner after issuing the warnings.<\/p>\n

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

Zero Weavers. It was a rule-based ejection that had no clear argument whatsoever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Saturday, September 14th, at Washington Nationals, top of the seventh<\/p>\n

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

Bill Welke (1B)<\/p>\n

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

Braves pinch hitter Charlie Culberson squared around to bunt the first pitch from Fernando Rodney<\/a><\/strong>. There were runners on first and second with nobody out. Rodney\u2019s fastball got away from him and traveled high and tight. Culberson tried to pull the bat back and get out of the way but couldn\u2019t. A frightening moment ensued as the ball caught him squarely in the right cheek. (Thankfully, it didn\u2019t damage his eye socket.) After the medical staff from both teams took care of Culberson, he got up on his own and headed for treatment.<\/p>\n

On appeal, Welke ruled that Culberson had offered at the pitch. By rule, this meant that the pitch was a dead ball strike. This incensed Snitker, whose explosive protest resulted in Welke sending him to the showers. After being tossed, Snitker vented the frustration that his batter was \u201chit in the (bleeping) face\u201d and yet his substitute didn\u2019t get first base. Before leaving the field, Snitker yelled \u201cShame on you\u201d twice.<\/p>\n

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

Yes. Every manager in the LEAGUE would have been ejected here, even if the call were correct. (According to replay, it wasn\u2019t.)<\/p>\n

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

Yes, but Snitker didn\u2019t care, and no other manager would have, either.<\/p>\n

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

Snitker\u2019s reaction would normally be worth Four Weavers. However, the scary incident leading to it makes it tough to even watch it, let alone be entertained by it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dale Sveum, Kansas City Royals Bench Coach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Saturday, September 14th, vs. Houston Astros, top of the second<\/p>\n

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

Chris Guccione (HP)<\/p>\n

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

The Royals were still reeling from the previous day\u2019s strike zone. In the top of the second, a 1-0 pitch to leadoff hitter Alex Bregman<\/a><\/strong> crossed the heart of the plate above the knees. Guccione called it a ball. Later in the at-bat, a 3-1 sinker near the inside corner and belt-high was ball four. After the first pitch to the subsequent hitter was well inside, Guccione lifted his mask and yelled for someone in the Royals dugout to stop yelling, ending it with, \u201cI\u2019m working. I\u2019m working.\u201d Sveum continued, so Guccione booted him.<\/p>\n

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

Yes, especially with the Bregman at-bat, and considering the strike zone from the night before.<\/p>\n

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

What Sveum said is unknown to the public. However, given that manager Ned Yost did not react at all, it probably was.<\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres First Baseman
\nAndy Green, San Diego Padres Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Saturday, September 14th, at Colorado Rockies, top of the fifth<\/p>\n

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

Carlos Torres (3B)<\/p>\n

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

Hosmer tried to check his swing on a 1-0 pitch in the dirt. On appeal, Torres ruled that he swung. Replays disagreed. Hosmer ultimately grounded to second. On his way back to the third base dugout, he yelled twice at Torres that it was \u201cterrible.\u201d As Hosmer was about to go down the stairs, Torres chucked him.<\/p>\n

Hosmer walked up to Torres and protested his ejection. Green quickly joined him as third base coach Glenn Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> pulled Hosmer away. Plate umpire Paul Nauert intervened with Green, and as Green walked away, he finished his sentence to Torres. When Green said a parting sentence, Torres bounced him.<\/p>\n

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

Absolutely. Both Hosmer and Green were walking away when they were dumped.<\/p>\n

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

Technically, yes, but both felt like quick triggers. Hosmer could have been handled just fine with hands up and, \u201cEric, that\u2019s enough.\u201d Green was walking away. Had he said more than one sentence while walking away, then, yes, toss him, but this seemed trifling.<\/p>\n

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

Three Weavers. The ejection was strange, and the aftermath lasted a while. Plus, Green is fun to watch when he argues.<\/p>\n

For the other eight ejections from Week 25 and the leaderboard, click here<\/a>.<\/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>