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Originally Posted by briancurtin
Did anyone just see Drake toss Piniella? Can someone give me an example of a more horse**** ejection at the MLB level? I'm struggling to find one.
For those who didn't see it, Fairchild (at first) said the hitter didn't go on a half-swing, then Piniella comes out a little bit and Fairchild put his hand up and said not to come out. Lou has a few quick words from long distance, goes back towards the dugout, and Drake throws him out while Lou isn't even facing the field or either umpire.
Disclaimer: I'm a Cubs fan.
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Brian,
This post shows your true colors - you are fan #1 and an umpire #2, however, I won't hold it against you.
Fairchild did exactly what probably every other AAA fill in did (not including Drake or Gooch since they're pretty much full timers anyways). As Pinella came out onto the field to argue the check swing, Fairchild put the stop sign up and told Pinella to "Don't come out here". While Pinella stopped, he continued to pop off and get in a couple more shots, Drake decided he had heard enough and took the EJ for Fairchild.
Considering the status of Fairchild and Pinella, I think Fairchild handled it about as good as you can considering if he would have dumped Pinella from long distance, Pinella would have created a major scene. Fairchild did what MLB wants him to do and that is "try" to keep him in the game if possible. Drake, on the other hand, saw that Pinella was taking advantage of a younger AAA fill-in, stuck up for his partner and took the EJ himself.
As the plate umpire, when you ask for help on a check swing, you do not allow a team to go after your partner because they didn't agree with his decision. Drake did exactly what any "umpire's umpire" would do and that is stick up for his partner. While it may have not looked pretty, it was the right thing to do and that is ANOTHER example of why Drake will be the next full time MLB umpire. Could Fairchild have dumped Pinella...yes, Should Fairchild have dumped Pinella... maybe but talking about it in the lockeroom, Fairchild probably thanked Drake for taking the bullet for him. That is what umpires do for each other.
Brian, ofcourse, you would not understand this because you are a FAN. Maybe you should visit a baseball blog for FANS - I think you would be more comfortable there rather than here - this is for UMPIRES