Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Monday, April 28, 2008: Only six of the seven games on the Major League Baseball calendar for Monday were begun -- due to the rainout in Queens, New York -- and only five were completed as rain suspended an extra-innings American League contest in Chicago. Nevertheless, those six games produced three ejections.

In Chicago, where the White Sox hosted the Baltimore Orioles, first base umpire Mark Wegner ejected Orioles designated hitter Aubrey Huff in the top of the 10th inning for arguing that he had beat out the throw for a single on a slow grounder to second. Replays showed that Huff was in fact safe. The score was tied 2-2 at the time of the ejection and was again tied at 3-3 when the umpires decided to suspend the game in the 11th inning. The game will be resumed at a date, time, and place to be determined. All the statistics from the game do count, however, which is why this ejection will count toward Umpire Fantasy League standings at this time. When the game is resumed, Huff will remain ejected. Whether the umpiring team will stay the same is in doubt. You can view the box score at this link, while interim wraps are available from MLB.com here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Baltimore Sun; The Washington Post; The Chicago Tribune; The Chicago Sun-Times; and The Associated Press. Coincidentally, the Orioles were also involved in a game suspended due to rain last season, and that game likewise produced an ejection before play was suspended. My coverage of that ejection can be accessed here.

In San Francisco, where the Giants hosted the Colorado Rockies, home plate umpire Paul Emmel ejected Rockies manager Clint Hurdle in the bottom of the 1st inning for arguing a balk called on the Rockies starting pitcher. The game was scoreless at the time of the ejection, although the Giants proceeded to score two runs in the bottom of the 1st and went on to win by a score of 4-0. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Denver Post; The Rocky Mountain News; The San Francisco Chronicle; The San Jose Mercury News; and The Associated Press.

And in Anaheim, California, where the Los Angeles Angels hosted the Oakland Athletics, home plate umpire Charlie Reliford ejected Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 3rd inning on a visit to the mound. The Angels were trailing 3-0 at the time and went on to lose the game by a score of 14-2. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Orange County Register; The Los Angeles Times; The Los Angeles Daily News; The Oakland Tribune; The San Francisco Chronicle; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Paul Emmel with an ejection, his second of the season; credit umpire Charlie Reliford with an ejection, his first of the season; credit umpire Mark Wegner with an ejection, his first of the season; and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Umpire Fantasy League standings as of the close of play on Sunday, April 27, 2008:

Three ejections
Andy Fletcher
Hunter Wendelstedt

Two ejections
Tim McClelland

One ejection
Derryl Cousins
Phil Cuzzi
Bob Davidson
Paul Emmel
James Hoye
Adrian Johnson
Bill Miller
Ed Montague
Casey Moser
Rick Reed
Tim Timmons
Joe West
Mike Winters
Major League Baseball games played Sunday, April 27, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Sunday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.
"Umpire resting, released from hospital; Danley hit in the jaw by fastball during Saturday's contest": MLB.com provides this report.

The Rocky Mountain News reports today that "Umpire gets discharged from hospital; Danley's return from head injury uncertain."

And The Associated Press reports that "Umpire released from hospital after taking fastball to jaw."

My earlier coverage appears at this link.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Saturday, April 26, 2008: An American League day-night double-header in Chicago resulted in sixteen games played on Saturday. And those sixteen games yielded a single ejection.

In Cleveland, where the Indians hosted the New York Yankees, second base umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Indians manager Eric Wedge in the bottom of the 8th inning for arguing too vociferously over a blown call that Cousins had made. Cousins called out an Indians base runner on a force out at second base although, as replays showed, the Yankees fielder who took the throw at second base never had control of the ball while he was on the bag. The game was tied 3-3 at the time of the ejection, but the Indians went on to win 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view related photos here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Cleveland Plain Dealer; The New York Times; The New York Daily News; The New York Post; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Derryl Cousins with an ejection -- his first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.
"Home-plate ump hurt at Dodger Stadium; Danley briefly unconscious after hit in mask with fastball": MLB.com provides a report that begins, "Home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley briefly lost consciousness after being hit in the mask in the jaw area with a 96 mph fastball in the fourth inning of the Dodgers-Rockies game on Saturday night, and after a delay was taken from the field on an ambulance." MLB.com has posted online this video of the incident. And you can access umpire Kerwin Danley's official bio at this link.

In other coverage, The Associated Press provides reports headlined "Umpire hit on jaw by pitch, taken off field in ambulance" and "Plate ump Danley injured in Dodgers' 11-3 win over Rockies."

Today's edition of The Los Angeles Times contains articles headlined "Umpire at Dodgers game taken to hospital after getting hit by pitch; He lost consciousness for a few seconds and remained motionless for nearly 10 minutes" and "Dodgers' easy win comes with a scare; They score 10 in first and rout Rockies, 11-3, but umpire Danley is hurt by Penny pitch."

The Los Angeles Daily News reports today that "Dodgers' 10-run first inning lifts them to victory; umpire hurt."

And today's edition of The Denver Post contains articles headlined "Umpire injured by 96 mph pitch" and "Buried by not-so-perfect 10; Kemp's grand slam keys Los Angeles' 10-run first inning off Redman as the Rockies lose for the sixth time in seven games."

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Friday, April 25, 2008: The postponement of an American League game in Chicago due to rain resulted in only fourteen games being completed Friday. And those fourteen games produced one ejection.

In Queens, where the New York Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves, Braves manager Bobby Cox recorded his Major League Baseball-leading 136th ejection of his career when home plate umpire Tim McClelland ejected Cox for arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The ejection was a shrewd move by Cox, who thereby saved Braves starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens from being ejected for showing up the home plate umpire. The score was tied 1-1 at the time of the ejection, and the Braves trailed the Mets 3-1 by the end of the 3rd inning. However, the Braves rallied to win the game 6-3. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are here and here. You can view related photos here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; The New York Times; The New York Daily News; The New York Post; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Tim McClelland with an ejection -- his second of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Thursday, April 24, 2008: Thanks to a double-header in Kansas City, there were sixteen games on the Major League Baseball calendar Thursday. And those sixteen games produced a total of four ejections.

At Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, where the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the Toronto Blue Jays, first base umpire Tim McClelland ejected Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios at the conclusion of the top of the 3rd inning after McClelland ruled that Rios's bat had gone around far enough on a swing to constitute strike three. Rios, who maintained that it was a check-swing, then flipped his bat, threw his helmet to the ground, and shouted, earning the early exit from the game, as reported by MLB.com in an article headlined "Rios ejected in third inning vs. Rays; Outfielder throws down bat, helmet after call on check swing." The Blue Jays were leading 2-0 at the time but ended up losing 5-3. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view related photos here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Toronto Globe and Mail; The Toronto Star; The St. Petersburg Times; The Tampa Tribune; The Orlando Sentinel; and The Associated Press.

In Seattle, where the Mariners hosted the Baltimore Orioles, home plate umpire Casey Moser (a 2008 minor league call-up umpire) ejected Mariners manager John McLaren for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 7th inning. The Mariners had been leading 5-3 at the end of the 6th inning but managed to surrender four runs in the top of the 7th and never regained the lead, losing 8-7. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Seattle Times; The Seattle Post-Intelligencer; The Baltimore Sun; The Washington Post; and The Associated Press.

And in Los Angeles, where the Dodgers hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks, second base umpire Andy Fletcher ejected both Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent and Dodgers manager Joe Torre in the top of the 9th inning for continuing to argue a call, which Fletcher had made in the top of the 8th inning, that Kent had removed his foot from the second base bag before receiving the throw from the Dodgers third baseman on a grounder to third and thereby had failed to record the force-out on the runner who was on first base when the play began. The Diamondbacks won the game by a score of 6-4. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view related photos here, here, and here. Additional coverage is available from The Los Angeles Times; The Los Angeles Daily News; The Arizona Republic; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Andy Fletcher with two ejections, giving him a total of three for the season; credit umpires Tim McClelland and Casey Moser with one ejection, for each the first of the season; and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Wednesday, April 23, 2008: A rain-out in Kansas City resulted in only fourteen of the complete slate of fifteen games scheduled for Wednesday being played. And those fourteen games failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Tuesday, April 22, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Tuesday produced two ejections.

In Pittsburgh, where the Pirates hosted the Florida Marlins, first base umpire Mike Winters ejected Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez in the top of the 7th inning after arguing that a Marlins batter had reached first base safely before the throw arrived. Had the batter been called safe at first, the Marlins would have tied the game at 3-3. Instead, the Pirates had a 3-2 lead at the conclusion of the top of the 7th, and that ended up being the final score. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com can be accessed here and here. You can view related photos here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Miami Herald; The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; and The Associated Press.

And in Phoenix, where the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the San Francisco Giants, home plate umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Giants manager Bruce Bochy in the top of the 7th inning for arguing that a foul ball had grazed a Diamondbacks fielder in fair territory and thus should have been called a hit. The Giants were trailing 5-3 at the time and ended up losing by a score of 5-4. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The San Francisco Chronicle; The San Jose Mercury News; The Arizona Republic; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpires Andy Fletcher and Mike Winters with one ejection -- for each, the first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Monday, April 21, 2008: A partial slate of ten games played Monday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Umpire Fantasy League standings as of the close of play on Sunday, April 20, 2008:

Three ejections
Hunter Wendelstedt

One ejection
Phil Cuzzi
Bob Davidson
Paul Emmel
James Hoye
Adrian Johnson
Bill Miller
Ed Montague
Rick Reed
Tim Timmons
Joe West
Major League Baseball games played Sunday, April 20, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Sunday produced one ejection.

In Boston, where the Red Sox hosted the Texas Rangers, home plate umpire Paul Emmel ejected Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez for arguing a called third strike in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Red Sox were trailing 2-0 at the time of the ejection but came back to win the game by a score of 6-5. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Boston Globe; The Boston Herald (here and here); The Providence Journal (here and here); The Dallas Morning News; The Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Paul Emmel with an ejection -- his first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

"Manny ejected after arguing call; Leadoff strikeout draws Ramirez's ire in bottom of second": MLB.com provides this report.
Major League Baseball games played Saturday, April 19, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Saturday produced a total of three ejections.

In Cincinnati, where the Reds hosted the Milwaukee Brewers, home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected two players from the Reds for arguing balls and strikes during the 8th inning. The first of those two ejections came in the top of the 8th inning, when Wendelstedt ejected Reds catcher Paul Bako for complaining that a pitch that Wendelstedt called as a ball was actually a strike. And the second of those ejections came in the bottom of the 8th when Reds pinch hitter Ryan Freel argued that a pitch that Wendelstedt called as a strike was actually a ball. At the time of both ejections, the score was tied 3-3. The Brewers won 5-3 in 10 innings. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com can be accessed here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Cincinnati Enquirer; The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and The Associated Press.

And in Houston, where the Astros hosted the Colorado Rockies, home plate umpire Rick Reed ejected Astros manager Cecil Cooper in the bottom of the 7th inning after the umpiring crew upheld the recording of an outfield catch by the Rockies that was actually a dropped ball. The Rockies were leading 3-2 at the time of the ejection and held on to win by that same score. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Houston Chronicle; The Denver Post (here and here); and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Hunter Wendelstedt with two ejections, giving him a total of three for the season; credit umpire Rick Reed with one ejection, his first of the season; and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Friday, April 18, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Friday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Thursday, April 17, 2008: A partial slate of thirteen games played Thursday -- including four extra-inning games capped off by a 22-inning battle in San Diego, where the Colorado Rockies beat the host Padres 2-1 after 6 hours and 16 minutes of baseball -- failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Wednesday, April 16, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Wednesday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Tuesday, April 15, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Tuesday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

"Thome suspended, fined for actions; Day off planned, so slugger forgoes appeal process": MLB.com provides this report.

You can view the official press release from Major League Baseball at this link.
Major League Baseball games played Monday, April 14, 2008: A partial slate of nine games played Monday produced one ejection.

In Arlington, where the Texas Rangers hosted the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, home plate umpire Joe West ejected Rangers manager Mike Scioscia at the conclusion of the top of the 8th inning after West called the pitch delivered with two out and a 3-2 count strike three instead of ball four. The Angels were leading 7-3 at the time of Scioscia's ejection and ended up winning by the final score of 7-4. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com can be accessed here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Orange County Register; The Los Angeles Times; The Dallas Morning News; The Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Joe West -- one of last season's ejection leaders -- with his first ejection of the season, and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Umpire Fantasy League standings as of the close of play on Sunday, April 13, 2008:

One ejection
Phil Cuzzi
Bob Davidson
James Hoye
Adrian Johnson
Bill Miller
Ed Montague
Tim Timmons
Hunter Wendelstedt
Major League Baseball games played Sunday, April 13, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Sunday produced one ejection.

In Philadelphia, where the Phillies hosted the Chicago Cubs, third base umpire Adrian Johnson (a 2008 minor league call-up umpire) ejected Phillies manager Charlie Manuel in the top of the 6th inning after Manuel argued that ball Mark DeRosa hit out of the park near the left field foul pole was in fact a foul baul. Replays showed that Manuel was correct that the home run was indeed a foul ball. The Phillies were trailing 4-2 as a result of the blown call, and the Cubs ended up winning the game 6-5 in 10 innings. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. You can view a related photo at this link. Additional coverage is available from The Philadelphia Inquirer; The Philadelphia Daily News; The Chicago Tribune; The Chicago Sun-Times; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Adrian Johnson with an ejection -- his first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Saturday, April 12, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Saturday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.
Major League Baseball games played Friday, April 11, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Friday produced two ejections.

In Chicago, where the White Sox hosted the Detroit Tigers, home plate umpire James Hoye (a 2008 minor league call-up umpire) ejected White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome in the bottom of the 5th inning for arguing a called third strike. The White Sox were trailing 3-2 at the time of Thome's ejection and went on to lose the game by a score of 5-2. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Chicago Tribune; The Chicago Sun-Times; The Detroit News; The Detroit Free Press; and The Associated Press.

And in Houston, where the Astros hosted the Florida Marlins, home plate umpire Bob Davidson ejected Marlins batting coach Jim Presley for arguing an interference call that Davidson made on Marlins centerfielder Alfredo Amezaga, who was trying to reach base on a bunt. The Marlins were winning 8-6 at the time and held on to win 10-6. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Miami Herald; The Houston Chronicle; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpires Bob Davidson and James Hoye with an ejection -- for each the first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Ejections in Houston and Chicago: On Friday evening, umpires Bob Davidson and James Hoye (a 2008 Minor League Call-Up Umpire) each recorded his first ejection of the 2008 regular season (see here and here). More details to follow later today.
"Guillen fined for comments about ump; White Sox manager stands by decision to defend team": MLB.com provides this report. You can view the official Major League Baseball press release at this link.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Thursday, April 10, 2008: A double-header added to the schedule in Arlington, Texas resulted in thirteen games scheduled for Thursday, but cancellations due to snow in Denver and rain in Chicago caused only eleven games to be played. And those eleven games failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

"Rd. 2: Guillen upset with umpire Cuzzi; Manager discusses his disdain for previous night's decision." MLB.com provides this report.

The Chicago Tribune reports today that "Guillen's war with umpire far from civil."

Today's edition of The Chicago Sun-Times contains an article headlined "Ozzie's personal question: What's with Cuzzi?"

And The Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Illinois reports that "Guillen spews venom at ump that tossed him."
Major League Baseball games played Wednesday, April 9, 2008: A rainout in Arlington, Texas caused only fourteen of the complete slate of fifteen games scheduled for Wednesday to be played. And none of those fourteen games -- not even a 15-inning game played in Pittsburgh -- produced the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Tuesday, April 8, 2008: A partial slate of twelve games played Tuesday produced two ejections.

In St. Petersburg, Florida, where the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the Seattle Mariners, third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Rays manager Joe Maddon in the bottom of the 7th inning for arguing that Wendelstedt had inaccurately called out B.J. Upton, trying to stretch a double into a triple, on a bang-bang play at third base. Upton managed to leave behind his right shoe near the batter's box as he started his dash around the bases, and having one shoe on, one shoe off may have made all the difference on that close play. The Rays were losing 6-5 at the time, and that ended up being the final score. You can access the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. Additional coverage is available from The St. Petersburg Times; The Tampa Tribune; The Seattle Times; The Seattle Post-Intelligencer; and The Associated Press.

Tuesday's second ejection occurred in San Francisco, where the Giants hosted the San Diego Padres. In the top of the 8th inning, home plate umpire Tim Timmons ejected Padres left fielder Scott Hairston for disagreeing on a called swing for strike three that Hairston contended was a checked-swing. At the time of the ejection, San Diego was trailing 2-1. The Padres tied the score with a run in the top of the 9th, only to lose 3-2 on a walk-off home run by the Giants in the bottom of the 11th. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. Additional coverage is available from The San Diego Union-Tribune; The North County Times; The San Francisco Chronicle; The San Jose Mercury-News; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpires Tim Timmons and Hunter Wendelstedt with one ejection -- for each the first of the season -- and adjust your Umpire Fantasy League standings accordingly.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

"Devil," no; "ejection," yes: The Tampa Bay Rays had their home season opener this evening, and before the game concluded Rays manager Joe Maddon was ejected by third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. According to the MLB.com wrap of the game, "Upton nearly started the offense again, doubling down the right-field line in the seventh inning. But the center fielder was called out at third on a highly controversial call that saw manager Joe Maddon ejected from the game." Tampa Bay was trailing 6-5 at the time, and that ended up being the final score. More details to follow in tomorrow's wrap-up.
Major League Baseball games played Monday, April 7, 2008: A partial slate of eleven games played Monday produced one ejection.

In Chicago, where the White Sox hosted the Minnesota Twins, home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen in the bottom of the 3rd inning for arguing balls and strikes. The White Sox were losing 2-1 at the time, but they came back to win the game 7-4. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. MLB.com also reports that "Guillen tossed from home opener; White Sox manager ejected for arguing balls and strikes." You can view photos of the ejection here and here. Additional coverage is available from The Chicago Tribune (here and here); The Chicago Sun-Times (here and here); The Minneapolis Star Tribune; The St. Paul Pioneer Press; and The Associated Press.

Credit umpire Phil Cuzzi -- one of last season's ejection leaders -- with an ejection, his first of this season.

Monday, April 7, 2008

"Guillen tossed from home opener; White Sox manager ejected for arguing balls and strikes": MLB.com provides this report. Credit home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi with the ejection, which occurred in the bottom of the 3rd inning of this afternoon's game. More details to follow in tomorrow's wrap-up.
Umpire Fantasy League standings as of the close of play on Sunday, April 6, 2008:

One ejection

Bill Miller
Ed Montague
Major League Baseball games played Sunday, April 6, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Sunday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Saturday, April 5, 2008: A complete slate of fifteen games played Saturday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Friday, April 4, 2008: Due to a rain-out in Atlanta, only fourteen of the fifteen games scheduled for Friday were played. And those fourteen games failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Major League Baseball games played Thursday, April 3, 2008: Due to a rain-out in Baltimore, only ten of the eleven games scheduled for Thursday were played. And those ten games produced a single ejection, in the Bronx, where the New York Yankees were hosting the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the top of the fourth inning, Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas took exception to home plate umpire Bill Miller's called third strike on a pitch that Thomas thought was high and inside. Before the pitch, there were two out and Thomas was facing a full count. When the pitch hit the catcher's glove, Thomas took off for first base, believing he had walked, only to see the Yankees team depart the field, having just recorded the third and final out of the half inning on a called strike three. After Thomas argued with Miller for a bit over the call, Miller gave the Big Hurt the heave-ho.

Although the Blue Jays were winning 1-0 when Thomas was ejected, the Yankees rallied to win 3-2. You can access the box score at this link. The MLB.com wrap of the game for the Blue Jays is headlined "Jays fall to Yanks after Thomas ejected; Slugger tossed from game after arguing called third strike," and you can access video of the pitch and ejection via that link. The MLB.com wrap for the Yankees is here. You can view a photo of the ejection at this link. The Toronto Globe and Mail reports that "Thomas's temper hurts Jays." And The Toronto Star reports that "Big Hurt frustrated? Maybe just a little." Additional coverage is available from The Toronto Star; The New York Times; The New York Daily News; and The New York Post.

Credit umpire Bill Miller with an ejection, his first of the season.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

"Thomas ejected after arguing strike call; Slugger replaced by Shannon Stewart as designated hitter": MLB.com provides this report. Credit home plate umpire Bill Miller with the ejection. More details to follow in tomorrow's wrap-up.
Major League Baseball games played Wednesday, April 2, 2008: A complete slate of 15 games played Wednesday failed to produce the ejection of any players, coaches, or managers.

As a result, umpire fantasy league standings remain unchanged.
"Bowa suspended for three games; Third-base coach fined by Commissioner after argument": MLB.com provides this report. The page containing the article also provides video of Bowa's meltdown.

In other coverage, The Los Angeles Times reports today that "Dodgers coach Larry Bowa criticizes suspension; He calls his three-game punishment for arguing with third base umpire 'more ludicrous' than the new rule he violated about base coaches staying in boxes until batted balls pass them."

You can access at this link the official Major League Baseball press release announcing the suspension.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

On April 1, 2008, the first ejection of the 2008 Major League Baseball season occurs: On the fifth day of the 2008 regular season -- after two games in Japan; one in Washington, DC; and opening day Monday everywhere else, if weather permitted -- an ejection has finally occurred.

And, not surprisingly, the person ejected was Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa. He wasn't ejected for refusing to wear what he considers to be a silly plastic hat while on the field. Instead, he was ejected in the bottom of the 6th inning for failing to stay within the third base coach's box -- another rule that's seldom if ever enforced. Credit third base umpire (and crew chief) Ed Montague with the first ejection of the MLB 2008 regular season.

The game was scoreless when Bowa was ejected. The Dodgers scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-2. You can view the box score at this link, while wraps from MLB.com are available here and here. MLB.com also reports that "Bowa melts down after getting ejected; Dodgers coach disciplined for straying from box." You can view related photos here and here. Other coverage is available from The Los Angeles Times; The Los Angeles Daily News; The San Francisco Chronicle; The San Jose Mercury News; and The Associated Press.

Stay tuned for coverage of the length of Bowa's suspension, once it is announced.