Interesting Ejections, I wonder why?
 

Tempers flare early between Cards, Reds | MLB.com: News

Even though the game is still going on, I thought I would bring this up. I find it interesting that the crew ejected no players, only the two managers after all the pushing and shoving.

Also, unlike most brawls when the crew tries to stay out of it, the crew got buried so deep in the pile, there might have been no player ejections because they could not see the action.

I understand the managers needed to go, and they deserved it, but St. Louis' F2 and Cincy's F4 (whose mouth in the paper started everything) at least should have gone too, plus a couple of other players if the after-action report is right in the story.

The Cardinals F2 in my opinion needs to go since it was obvious he started it. Why he just didn't dial up a brush back pitch on the first pitch and get it over with is amazing. Or better yet, throw the message pitch at him in the 4th, and there is less chance of a brawl.

Comments?

I suppose it would have been better for him (Molina) to be ejected than his pitcher. He got lucky that he didn't.

From what I'm hearing, Phillips tapped him in the leg with his bat, so I wouldn't say it was obvious Molina started it.

Phillips was running his mouth yesterday and then pulls that crap at the start of the game. He's a punk who needs to learn how to conduct himself properly.

Players have been doing that for decades to both catchers and even umpires. It's like saying high and shaking hands...instead of actually shaking hands.

It's all about context. You slap a guy on the *** after a home run, it means one thing. You do it in a bar, it means another.

Matt, he tried to tap his leg and Molina kicked his bat if you watch closely...then he taps him again. You can't say publicly that you hate a team and then try to be nice the next day...good for Molina.

I'm betting his Reds teammates were not all that enthused about his actions. He talks smack to the media, then goes up and taps Molina's legs like there's no problem. I'm sure that when it became a fight the Reds (who HAD to go out there to protect a teammate ... but didn't have to like it) didn't exactly have their hearts in it.

Hey, Phillips... talk smack all you want, but walk up to the plate and take one in the shoulderblades - like every other MLB'er before you.

Still can't figure out how Phillips wasn't tossed... nor why the coaches were.

I suspect that due to the media coverage of Phillips, the umpires told both managers before the game that the first kerfuffle was on them.

Phillips? Why? According to reports from both sides of the media, Phillips taps the shins of the catcher and umpire in every game. Other than the statements he made the day before, this action was no different.

You don't think that after those comments, the ankle tap was the instigator for this situation?

Nope... and I'm a Cardinals fan. Molina instigated the bench clearing.

Phillips...

I guess if you went back to the previous day, then yes. However, Molina started the bench clearing. Phillips did what he always does and Molina took it as the time to start what was inevitable.

I think we can all agree that had the clearing not happened then, Phillips would have been beaned on the first pitch anyway. In a way, Molina kept his pitcher in the game.

You don't declare, "I hate the Cardinals." and then go trying to act buddy-buddy the next day at the game.

Molina actually might have saved him from getting plunked in the head.