MLB umpire Hunter Wendelstedt made national headlines for all the wrong reasons when he ejected New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone from a recent game against the Oakland Athletics.
As the entire baseball world knows, Boone was unfairly given the hook after Wendelstedt mistook something a Yankees fan said from the stands as the words of Boone.
The bizarre ejection, which occurred just five pitches into the game, raised eyebrows and prompted even further discussions about the poor judgement routinely displayed by MLB umpires.
The entire scene that day in the Bronx was surreal. Sure, Boone chirped at Wendelstedt initially, but once he was told to pipe down, he did.
Wendelstedt proved to have a happy trigger finger once he heard a fan from the stands give him the business. Thinking it was Boone running his mouth, the confused umpire tossed the Yankees skipper.
When Boone tried to explain that he didn’t say a word and that the shouting came from a fan in the stands, Wendelstedt couldn’t care less.
“I don’t care who said it. You’re gone!” he told Boone.
Making matters even worse, Wendelstedt refused to take accountability or even acknowledge his mistake following the game.
Wendelstedt defended his actions, stating that he “heard something,” which he deemed worthy of an ejection, even though it didn’t originate from Boone himself.
“It had nothing to do with his area, but he’s the manager of the Yankees. So, he’s the one that had to go,” Wendelstedt explained to a pool reporter after the game.
Needless to say, Boone didn’t appreciate anything about Wendelstedt’s actions during or after the game and labeled the whole situation “embarrassing.’’
Boone had “several” conversations with MLB VP of on-field operations, Michael Hill, in the hours following the incident.
“I think everyone has seen the video of what happened,’’ Boone said. “You saw my comments, you saw (Wendelstedt’s) comments. I’m beyond it now. Let’s move on.’’
As it turns out, MLB did end up “punishing” Wendelstedt. Not with any suspension or demotion, however. Moreso with a knock on his grade which could end up resulting in him being held out of big assignments such as playoff games come October.
Despite the very light slap on the wrist, Boone said he was satisfied with how Commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball handled the situation.
“I feel good about where the league is on it,” Boone stated.
He went on to defend umpires as a whole, pointing out that he recognizes how tough of a job they have and more times than not they get calls right.
“I know I’m the poster child for arguing about these things and getting into it,’’ Boone said. “But I really do feel like we have so many good umpires now,’’ and that young umpires coming up “are as good as ever.’’
Pitcher Carlos Rodon spoke about how much the team loves when Boone goes to bat for them, saying: “I appreciate it when Boonie backs us up.’’ … You may not love Boone’s managerial strategy at times, but he’s always 100% loyal to his players.
Notably, Rodon also went out of his way to praise Wendelstedt and called him “a great umpire’’ with “a good demeanor.”
“I don’t think he gets too high or too low,’’ he said. “But I get it, no one likes being chirped at. It’s part of the game, it happens.”
Perhaps the praise was Rodon’s attempt to gain a few brownie points with Wendelstedt. After all, it’s virtually impossible to defend his actions in any way, shape or form.
The ejection marked the 35th time that Boone has been kicked out of a game since taking over the Bombers in 2018.
Interestingly, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was ejected for the very first time in his career this past weekend (also in controversial fashion).
Unfortunately for players, managers and fans, the umpire problem in baseball is very real and seems to be getting worse and worse.
The early part of the season has already provided us with more than our fair share of mistakes and blunders.
No one is denying that being an MLB umpire is an extremely difficult job. However, to be umping at THIS level means you’re supposed to be the best of the best.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing umping problem in baseball?
Do you think it’s being a tad overblown? … Or does everyone have the right to be outraged?
Of course, the umpire union is a major obstacle, but would you like to see Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball hold the mistake-prone umpires much more accountable???