{"id":46735,"date":"2021-05-06T23:00:46","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T03:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=46735"},"modified":"2021-05-08T01:13:30","modified_gmt":"2021-05-08T05:13:30","slug":"ejection-inspection-202105-royals-ejected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2021\/05\/06\/ejection-inspection-202105-royals-ejected\/","title":{"rendered":"Ejection Inspection, Week Five: Three Kansas City Royals Ejected after Epic Meltdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three Kansas City Royals Ejected after Epic Meltdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Welcome to Week Five 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 manager Earl Weaver. This week had four people tossed by Angel Hernandez, with three Kansas City Royals ejected in an epic meltdown.<\/p>\n

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

There were 11 ejections in Week Five \u2013 six players, four managers, and a pitching coach.<\/p>\n

Ejection Table<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1<\/a><\/td>\nThu<\/td>\n4\/29<\/td>\nSTL<\/td>\nPHL<\/td>\nB9<\/td>\nMike Shildt<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nBrennan Miller<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n4\/30<\/td>\nPIT<\/td>\nSTL<\/td>\nB9<\/td>\nPhillip Evans<\/td>\nPH<\/td>\nJames Hoye<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/a><\/td>\nFri<\/td>\n4\/30<\/td>\nLAD<\/td>\n@MIL<\/a><\/td>\nT8<\/td>\nDave Roberts<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nAngel Hernandez<\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nArguing check-swing strike call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/a><\/td>\nSat<\/td>\n5\/1<\/td>\nPHL<\/td>\nNYM<\/a><\/td>\nB7<\/td>\nBryce Harper<\/td>\nBench<\/td>\nAndy Fletcher<\/td>\n1B<\/td>\nArguing out of base path call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n5\/2<\/td>\nTEX<\/td>\nBOS<\/a><\/td>\nB6<\/td>\nJoey Gallo<\/td>\nRF<\/td>\nBrian O’Nora<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/a><\/td>\nSun<\/td>\n5\/2<\/td>\nTEX<\/td>\nBOS<\/td>\nB6<\/td>\nChris Woodward<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nBrian O’Nora<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/a><\/td>\nMon<\/td>\n5\/3<\/td>\nPHL<\/td>\nMIL<\/td>\nB7<\/td>\nMatt Joyce<\/td>\nLF<\/td>\nHunter Wendelstedt<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balls\/strikes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/a><\/td>\nWed<\/td>\n5\/5<\/td>\nSF<\/td>\n@COL<\/a><\/td>\nT9<\/td>\nAlex Wood<\/td>\nBench<\/td>\nTony Randazzo<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing check-swing strike call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/a><\/td>\nWed<\/td>\n5\/5<\/td>\nKC<\/td>\nCLE<\/a><\/td>\nT6<\/td>\nCal Eldred<\/td>\nPitC<\/td>\nAngel Hernandez<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balk call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/a><\/td>\nWed<\/td>\n5\/5<\/td>\nKC<\/td>\nCLE<\/td>\nT6<\/td>\nMike Matheny<\/td>\nMgr<\/td>\nAngel Hernandez<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balk call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/a><\/td>\nWed<\/td>\n5\/5<\/td>\nKC<\/td>\nCLE<\/td>\nT6<\/td>\nBrady Singer<\/td>\nP<\/td>\nAngel Hernandez<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\nArguing balk call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mike Shildt, St. Louis Cardinals Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Thursday, April 29, vs. Philadelphia Phillies, bottom of the ninth<\/p>\n

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

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

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

With two out, the bases empty, and the game tied at three, Phillies closer Hector Neris hit Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado on the bicep with the first pitch. After a crew discussion \u2014 something mandated by the league before warnings now \u2014 they issued no warnings. The first pitch to the next hitter was a splitter that clipped the bottom of the zone for a called strike. Shildt barked from the dugout. Shortly before the next pitch, Miller held up the pitcher and yelled to the dugout, \u201cI heard you Mike. That\u2019s enough!\u201d Shildt continued, so BANG! Gone.<\/p>\n

Shildt came onto the field to discuss the matter further. His back was to the camera, making it impossible to read his lips. However, with all the gesturing and pointing, it seemed that he was complaining about Neris not being warned.<\/p>\n

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

Given the events of the previous night, yes. If it were in a vacuum, no. Why on Earth would Neris intentionally put the winning run on first in the bottom of the ninth?<\/p>\n

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

Shildt was arguing a pitch from the dugout and persisted when told to stop, so yes.<\/p>\n

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

Two Weavers. This was mild. It would have pulled only one if it hadn\u2019t lasted as long as it did.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Phillip Evans, Pittsburgh Pirates Pinch-hitter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Friday, April 30, vs. St. Louis Cardinals, bottom of the ninth<\/p>\n

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

James Hoye (HP)<\/p>\n

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

Evans dug in with a runner on first, no outs, and the Cardinals holding a 7-3 lead. He struck out looking at an 0-2 fastball on the inside corner. Evans walked toward Hoye, said a few words of dispute, then headed for the dugout. After walking away for a few steps, he looked over his shoulder and said a few more things. See ya.<\/p>\n

Pirates manager Derek Shelton got between Evans and Hoye, keeping Hoye from doing anything stupid that would get him suspended. Shelton said a few sentences before returning to the dugout.<\/p>\n

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

No one likes striking out, especially when trying to climb out of a big hole, so yes.<\/p>\n

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

Definitely. Players may not leave their position to argue balls and strikes, which is what Evans did by walking toward Hoye instead of the bench after striking out. Furthermore, calling back over your shoulder while walking away is almost automatic. This is a favorite tactic used by players and managers who are trying to look innocent. They\u2019ll claim, \u201cBut I was walking away!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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

<\/h3>\n

Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Friday, April 30, at Milwaukee Brewers, top of the eighth<\/p>\n

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

Angel Hernandez (1B)<\/p>\n

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

Chris Taylor checked his swing on a 1-0 pitch. On appeal, Hernandez ruled that he went around. Replays show that the call might have been incorrect, due to the vague wording of the major league rule. However, from the angle the Dodgers had in their dugout, it looked like Taylor did not even come close to going around.<\/p>\n

Roberts stormed from the third-base dugout all the way to Hernandez to lay into him. With an irritated demeanor, he said his piece to Hernandez, walking alongside him even as he tried to walk away and changed directions. When returning to the dugout, Roberts let off more steam to his coaching staff before heading to the clubhouse.<\/p>\n

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

Yes, due to the angle mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n

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

Managers cannot leave the dugout to argue a checked swing, so yes.<\/p>\n

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

Two Weavers. Other than the direction changes during the argument, this was unremarkable.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (on bench)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Saturday, May 1, vs. New York Mets, bottom of the seventh<\/p>\n

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

Andy Fletcher (1B)<\/p>\n

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

With the score tied at four, one out, and Andrew McCutchen on first, Phillies right fielder Matt Joyce hit a 2-0 offering from Aaron Loup. From his spot in the overshift, shortstop Francisco Lindor fielded the ball in front of the second baseman. He lunged to tag McCutchen, who ran a straight line to second, but was too far away. After missing the tag, Lindor threw to first. The throw beat Joyce by less than a step, but Fletcher called Joyce safe.<\/p>\n

Second base umpire Jose Navas called McCutchen out for running out of the baseline to evade the tag. Replays showed that the call was dead wrong \u2014 McCutchen did not even change direction while running to second, let alone deviate from his path by more then three feet to evade the tag. The Mets challenged the call at first. After replay review, Joyce was ruled out at first. The baseline call was not reviewable, so that call stood. Consequently, the inning ended on a double play.<\/p>\n

Three umpires headed toward the Phillies dugout after making the rulings. Almost to a man, the entire dugout gave the crew grief. Fletcher dumped Harper, to which Harper responded with several profane insults.<\/p>\n

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

Of course. This was probably the worst call of the season so far.<\/p>\n

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

Yes, but it should not have reached that point. Walking toward a team\u2019s dugout after any controversial call is a bad idea. It\u2019s only asking for trouble. Navas looked bad enough by kicking that call in the first place, but when Fletcher tossed Harper while two feet away from the dugout entrance, that looked even worse. This was a snafu, plain and simple.<\/p>\n

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

Three Weavers, only because this incident has to be seen to be fully believed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers Right Fielder
\nChris Woodward, Texas Rangers Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Sunday, May 2, vs. Boston Red Sox, bottom of the sixth<\/p>\n

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

Brian O\u2019Nora (HP)<\/p>\n

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

With no outs, the bases empty, and the Red Sox leading, 2-1, Gallo took a front-door curveball from Darwinzon Hernandez. It was at the knees on the inside corner, and O\u2019Nora called strike three. An incredulous Gallo turned toward O\u2019Nora and argued the call. He said several things and turned toward the dugout, still jawing. As he walked away, he kept calling over his shoulder, so O\u2019Nora bounced him.<\/p>\n

Woodward charged out of the dugout and argued both the call and the ejection in an animated fashion. There were lots of big hand movements as he continued blowing steam. It did not take long for O\u2019Nora to send him to an early shower, also. Woodward made several more points, head snapping back and forth as he fumed, before heading to the clubhouse.<\/p>\n

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

The pitch was as borderline as possible while still being correct. It is easy to see why the Rangers disagreed with it.<\/p>\n

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

There was profanity, and there were a few instances of the word \u201cyou.\u201d That\u2019s a quick ticket out of a game, since it\u2019s personal, so yes.<\/p>\n

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

Three Weavers. This was fun to watch. It might have fetched Four Weavers if a mask hadn\u2019t been hiding Woodward\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt Joyce, Philadelphia Phillies Left Fielder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Monday, May 3, vs. Milwaukee Brewers, bottom of the seventh<\/p>\n

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

Hunter Wendelstedt (HP)<\/p>\n

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

Joyce took a 3-2 fastball that was an inch or two off the plate. Wendelstedt called strike three, ending the inning. Joyce swore a blue streak as he slammed his helmet down and spiked his bat. As he bent over to pick his equipment up, he looked at Wendelstedt and yelled, \u201cYou\u2019re (expletive) pathetic!\u201d That was it, as Wendelstedt gave him the thumb.<\/p>\n

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

Yes. That pitch was outside. It was not, however, \u201cnot even (bleeping) close.\u201d (Double negative alert)<\/p>\n

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

Yes. In fact, Wendelstedt showed a lot of patience by letting him stay in the game as long as he did.<\/p>\n

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

Two Weavers. It didn\u2019t last very long.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Alex Wood, San Francisco Giants (on bench)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Wednesday, May 5, at Colorado Rockies, top of the ninth<\/p>\n

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

Tony Randazzo (HP)<\/p>\n

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

With two on, no outs, and the Rockies holding an 8-6 lead, Giants pinch-hitter Curt Casali tried to check his swing on a 3-2 breaking ball out of the zone. First base umpire John Libka called it a swing on appeal. The furious Giants dugout erupted. Wood said something that crossed the line, so Randazzo launched him.<\/p>\n

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

Yes. The Giants had a rally building.<\/p>\n

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

We don\u2019t know what Wood said. However, there was a lot of yelling and profanity coming from the Giants dugout, so there were probably a few people who deserved to go.<\/p>\n

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

Zero Weavers. It was almost unnoticeable.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Cal Eldred, Kansas City Royals Pitching Coach
\nMike Matheny, Kansas City Royals Manager
\nBrady Singer, Kansas City Royals Pitcher<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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

Wednesday, May 5, vs. Cleveland Indians, top of the sixth<\/p>\n

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

Angel Hernandez (HP)<\/p>\n

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

With runners on first and second, one out, and the Royals leading, 4-2, Singer was called for a balk when he attempted a pickoff move to second. He took a small step toward home with his front foot before wheeling around and firing. The small step was a move that required him to pitch the baseball, so the balk call was correct.<\/p>\n

Matheny left the dugout to discuss the play with Hernandez. As the conversation progressed, Matheny grew more heated. After a brief while longer, Matheny returned to the dugout. Upon his return, Eldred yelled something at Hernandez. Hernandez looked over at the dugout, where Eldred yelled something else. That brought the ol\u2019 heave-ho for Eldred.<\/p>\n

Eldred sprinted onto the field like he was shot out of a cannon. Matheny outran him and blocked him off from Hernandez. Eldred blew his top as an irate Matheny held him back. Eldred pointed from behind Matheny. It took less than a minute for Matheny to get the boot as well.<\/p>\n

Two pitches later, Josh Naylor hit a grounder to first. Carlos Santana smothered it and rolled to his feet. He wanted to throw home for a tag play, but the ball got stuck in the webbing of his glove, so he had to take the out at first.<\/p>\n

With the score 4-3, Singer left the game. On his way out, he screamed an f-bomb at Hernandez before screaming while gesturing, \u201cWhat (expletive) are you doing?\u201d Hernandez ran him, and Singer erupted again. Whit Merrifield sprinted to Singer and got him off the field before anything got worse.<\/p>\n

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

In a vacuum, and when talking solely about the balk call, no. However, this one was the end result of building frustration. The second hitter of the inning reached on a hit-by-pitch that the Royals disputed. From the replay, it was hard to tell whether the ball hit the batter\u2019s pinky or the knob of the bat. Therefore, the replay had to go with Hernandez\u2019s call, which was \u201chit by pitch.\u201d After a double, Singer walked the next hitter on four pitches. Ball four was close, but the other three were not.<\/p>\n

Then<\/em> the balk and all other activities happened. Therefore, when considering the entire sequence of events, the Royals\u2019 frustration is understandable, even though Hernandez got the calls right. (Obviously, the frustration was high if three Royals got ejected.)<\/p>\n

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

Definitely. All three crossed the line and had to go.<\/p>\n

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

Four Weavers. This would have made Earl proud. It was animated, multi-tiered, and lasted for several minutes.<\/p>\n

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

After five weeks, here are the leaders.<\/p>\n

Managers: 17 tied with one each
\nPlayers: 12 tied with one each
\nTeam high: Royals, Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds<\/a> (three).
\nTeam low: Nine have not had anyone ejected yet
\nUmpire: Angel Hernandez (four), with all coming in Week Five<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Look for Week Six on Thursday, May 13.<\/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>