New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s ejection on Monday’s game against the Oakland Athletics has sparked controversy, with Major League Baseball (MLB) reportedly viewing the call as a “bad ejection” according to SNY’s Andy Martino.
This aligns with Aaron Boone’s comments on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast, where he hinted at the league’s disapproval of the ejection, but remained unsure how the umpire’s mistake would be addressed.
Sources indicate that MLB has already held discussions with Aaron Boone and umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. The umpire’s accountability is forthcoming and he may have to face the consequences. However, the disciplinary action will likely be subtle rather than the one garnering headlines.
The incident occurred in the first inning, following a warning issued earlier in the game. However, replays seemed to show Aaron Boone was silent during the purported exchange that led to his ejection. It appeared a fan in the vicinity might have been the source of the umpire’s ire.
Umpire defends himself
The incident unfolded after a check swing call that Aaron Boone contested. Following a brief argument, umpire Hunter Wendelstedt issued a warning to the Yankees manager, who responded with a thumbs-up gesture seemingly indicating acceptance.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when a fan behind the dugout yelled, “Let’s go, home plate!” This seemingly innocuous comment from the stands resulted in Wendelstedt ejecting Aaron Boone. During the confrontation, Wendelstedt asserted, “Aaron, you’re done. I don’t care who said it. You’re gone.”
Later, speaking with reporters, Wendelstedt acknowledged that Aaron Boone had mentioned the fan’s comment, as reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. However, he maintained that identifying the source wasn’t a priority. He explained that ejecting a player or manager based solely on fan remarks would be unwise. While recognizing that the Yankees himself likely wasn’t responsible for the fan’s outburst, Wendelstedt emphasized that as manager, Aaron Boone bears responsibility for the team’s overall conduct.
Wendelstedt also pointed out that this wasn’t his first ejection and that he has a history of not ejecting players or managers solely due to fan behavior. Despite his past practices, the timing and nature of Aaron Boone’s ejection remain questionable. The incident transpired early in the game, and the argument hadn’t escalated to a point that necessarily warranted such a severe response.
He further clarified that the possibility that Boone’s perception of the situation might hold some truth. However, Wendelstedt emphasized that the commotion originated from a different area of the dugout, not directly from where Boone was standing. Regardless, as the Yankees manager, Aaron Boone bore the brunt of the punishment and was forced to leave the game.
The umpire explained that he swiftly ejected Aaron Boone, unsure if it was the manager who remarked, to avoid mistakenly ejecting a player, as spectators come to watch players perform. Aaron Boone expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, labeling it as “not right” and “embarrassing,” and mentioned his intention to communicate with the league regarding the matter.
What type of action likely against umpire over Aaron Boone’s ejection
The implications for umpire Hunter Wendelstedt are potentially significant. Martino suggests that MLB’s classification of the ejection as “improper” could impact Wendelstedt’s future opportunities. This includes promotions to crew chief positions or coveted assignments in high-profile games like the postseason or All-Star Game.
MLB evaluations of umpires throughout the season, which is a factor that directly influences postseason assignments and their associated pay increases.
Umpires undergo evaluations after every game, encompassing not just pitch calls but also their overall “game management” skills. A negative assessment due to an improper ejection carries weight throughout the season, similar to a poor grade impacting a student’s overall performance. While it can be overcome, it’s not an ideal situation.
These ongoing evaluations significantly influence an umpire’s eligibility for coveted assignments. This includes high-profile opportunities like All-Star Games and postseason matchups, both of which come with increased pay. Additionally, these evaluations hold weight when considering promotions to crew chief positions.
While disciplinary actions for managers often involve public announcements of suspensions by MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations, Michael Hill, the process for umpires is less transparent.
It’s important to note that Wendelstedt, not currently a crew chief, did not receive any postseason assignments in 2023. This incident could potentially affect his future advancement within the MLB umpire hierarchy.
This incident is likely to be reflected in Wendelstedt’s upcoming performance evaluation, potentially highlighting the questionable nature of his decision.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
If Wendelstedt isn’t Fired for his Arrogance & Gross Incompetence, then he must be Fired for BLATANTLY LYING in his post-game comments in which he attempted to Justify the Unjustifiable by coming up with a Half-Baked BS Story to explain his actions that would be embracing if it came from a six-year-old with his hand caught in a cookie jar.
That is, Wendelstedt CLAIMS he Ejected Boone because an Unknown, Nebulous, Ghostly Voice, possibly that of Jacob Marley, that he couldn’t identify, allegedly from the Other End of the Dugout, said something he didn’t like — that the On-Field Mic Couldn’t Hear! although it did hear the Fan’s comment — so Wendelstedt Ejected Boone to Punish the Invisible Man located somewhere in the South Bronx — who might be a Yankee, a Yankees’ fan, a peanut vendor, or an A’s player who was adept at throwing his voice — because the Invisible Man’s comment gave Wendelsted’s Massive Ego a Boo-Boo.
Are You Kidding Me?!!! Wendelstedt should be Fired just for INSULTING OUR INTELLIGENCE WITH THAT COCKAMAMIE STORY!
If MLB doesn’t FIRE Wendelstedt, it’s an admittance on their part that they’ve Totally Lost Control of The Umpires, and that the Umpires are a Fiefdom unto themselves; and the Commissioner, the Owners, the Coaches & Managers, the Players, and, most of all, the Fans can go F-Themselves if they dare to disagree with these Demi-Gods.
MLB brought this Arrogant Attitude onto themselves by NOT firing or demoting incompetent umpires, and by NOT publicizing any fines and other penalties (if there is such a thing!) imposed on umpires.
Why can MLB fine & suspend a player & publicize his Alleged off-field misconduct — like that involving Trevor Bauer, which the evidence later indicated was dubious, at best! — but MLB can’t Publicize fines imposed on umpires for grievous on-field errors that were witnessed by Millions of Fans on TV & in the stadium?
If umpires’ feelings are that puerile, umpires should be forced to wear Shirley Temple “Good Ship Lollipop” lill-girl dresses during games, because even the most cold-hearted among us wouldn’t want to make a lill girl cry.
Finally, it was vomit worthy that Wendelstedt’s Incompetence & Lying could result in “A negative assessment” that might make him ineligible “for coveted assignments,” such as All-Star & World Series Games.
THAT’S MLB’s IDEA OF PUNISHMENT? To metaphorically send Wendelstedt to bed without milk & cookies?!!! A massive herd of Buffaloes produces less bull**** than that!
FIRE WENDELSTEDT IMMEDIATELY & STOP Allowing Umpires to Create Their Own Strike Zones on Some Girlish Whim. Fire them, as well! Or at least publicly Acknowledge & Fine Them for Their Arrogance & Incompetence.
This BS has been allowed to continue unaddressed by MLB for Far Too Long!