HP Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for Unsportsmanlike Conduct-NEC in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Braves-Cubs game. With two out and none on, Cubs batter David DeJesus took a 2-0 fastball from Braves pitcher Eric O'Flaherty for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the first two balls were inside and the 2-0 pitch hit DeJesus in the back. Conroy immediately gave a warning to O'Flaherty, the Cubs dugout, and then the Braves dugout. Gonzalez subsequently came to the plate to argue the warnings issued by Conroy, the call is irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 2-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 5-1.
This is Chris Conroy (98)'s first ejection of 2012.
Chris Conroy now has 3 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call = 3).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 1).
*This call is irrecusable under UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5.
UEFL Standings Update
This is the 22nd ejection of 2012.
This is the 14th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Fredi Gonzalez's first ejection of 2012.
This is Conroy's third career MLB ejection.
This is the 3rd ejection at Wrigley Field in the last four days.
Wrap: Braves at Cubs 5/7/12
Video: Gonzalez gets tossed by Conroy for arguing issued warnings after DeJesus is hit by pitch
Video: Gonzalez discusses ejection, incorrectly believes he was Conroy's first career MLB ejection
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38 comments :
I just wanted to point out this great interference call at 2nd base by Ron Kulpa in the Phillies/Mets game tonight. Shane Victorino has been getting away with stuff like this for years, and it was nice to see someone get him for it.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21239237&c_id=mlb
What terrible commentary in the interference video.
It's usually the umpire's discretion as to when warnings should be handled, but I feel they should have been issued after Heyward got plunked. Samardzija purposely threw at Heyward out of frustration after the home run he launched and then chose to retaliate several innings later. If not, the umpire at least after the first two pitches to DeJesus nearly hit him should have started issuing the warnings.
I agree. "A very inexperienced first base umpire..." Give me a break.
I think Alan Porter is a great upcoming umpire and will be promoted soon. At least call him a rookie...
Yeah, kind of funny the way they start talking about Alan Porter as a "very inexperienced first base umpire...", and then they slow down the replay, and, sure enough, Porter got the safe call right. Never miss a chance to trash an ump I guess. I like this call by Kulpa. There was no way that Victorino could have even come close to touching second.
As for the ejection of Fredi Gonzalez, even Harold Reynolds and Chris Rose, on MLB Network, were ragging on Fredi for going out to argue what was some very obvious bean ball tactics. I thought Chris Conroy handled the situation appropriately, and it was dumb for Fredi to even go out. It seemed like after the game, in that interview, Fredi was basically mad that Conroy didn't let him (Fredi) push him (Chris)around. Imagine that, a young umpire stands his ground, on a totally correct call, and someone from the baseball "establishment" takes offense. Oh well, umpires are the universal punching bag.
What a tremendous call by Alan Porter at first base there...
As for the Fredi ejection: there should have been warnings issued, if not an immediate ejection, when Shark blatantly hit J-Hey (who homered earlier).
That being said, Fredi is an idiot. Kudos to Conroy for handling this with ease.
@ Anon 12:38
Why? They gave both umps credit for being right, although I'm not convinced Porter was.
Do the Braves announcers really think Gonzalez is complaining because there was no warning after Samardzija hit Heyward? Let's see here, Conroy waited until after the Braves retaliated to issue the warnings. Do they really think that is why Gonzalez came out? Really?
@9:31AM
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Should the umpire HAVE to wait until O'Flaherty retaliates? It looked pretty obvious to me that Samardzija threw directly at Heyward. Warnings should have been given after that and O'Flaherty tossed if he still followed it up like he did.
Granted, Gonzalez didn't need to go out and argue a warning and deserved the heave-ho, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the umpire correctly managed it.
@ Anon 9:40
No, Conroy may not have handled it properly. My point is that it would be silly for Gonzalez to gripe about Conroy having not warned the benches after Samardzija hit Heyward. If Conroy had, the Braves would have been unable to retaliate without an automatic ejection and perhaps suspension of both O'Flaherty and Gonzalez.
It seems to me that the warnings are a bit slower to come this year after several years of rather quick and sometimes questionable warnings. I like the idea of letting each team get a shot in (at the pro level) as long as they're torso or below. Never did like the idea of one team getting their shot. It causes situations to be prolonged throughout the series or, on getaway day, to the next series. This way, it gets handled and it's done.
Ok... Some of you guys need to settle down about TV announcers especially when they say NOTHING out of bounds.... The Mets announcer Gary Cohen was stating a fact.... Al is inexperienced and then Keith Hernandez on the replay immediatly said he got the call right... Give credit... If you want to bash the announcers be fair give em credit for A) not saying anything factually incorrect and B) giving the umpires props for getting BOTH calls right (safe at 1st and interference @ 2nd...
Onto Chris Conroy... This is my nominee for worst ejection of the year so far.... You have a calm manager an experienced crew chief walking in (likely because he doesn't see a problem) and an umpire that throws a manager out for questioning warnings... The only one demonstative was Conroy... We talk about this a lot on here there are some guys that are situation butchers and this was one of those. They are giving Conroy a very long look at the big league level, but this isn't what they are looking for.
Everytime you issue warnings one team's manager is upset (sometimes both) and usually the reason they are upset makes no sense, but if you tell them "hey i'm issueing warnings to protect your guys from getting hurt" they usually calm down... You have to play the game in order to not get yourself suspended.. When we look at that video everyone can tell Fredi ordered a plunking... 3 pitches with two outs and nobody on a foot inside.... Why did Fredi do it.. who knows but i'm sure the rest of the series will be umpired very tightly!!
Tmac- you are aware of the directive that states, no manager can come out and question/argue after warnings have been issued.......right? Conroy did an excellent job of at least waiting until Gonzales got to him. Most guys would have jerked him on his way out. This also goes for questioning/arguing after going to replay.
This is MLB, not college. At the MLB level they are not allowed to question or argue warnings. It is just like arguing a no step balk. As soon as he left the dugout he had to be ejected. Conroy handled this perfectly. This is exactly what MLB is looking for. He handled it exactly how he we instructed under MLB rules.
UmpsRule @9:50 AM
If Gonzalez was trying to make any point, I would hope that it was along the lines of, "Why did you wait?" I think Conroy should have made the warning after the Samardzija beanbag. I don't see much of a reason to wait for the third occurrence before finally issuing a warning to both teams. You go, we go, you go again now warn just seems a little lop-sided to me. You go, we go, warn, eject on next just seems much more efficient.
As I said, Gonzalez probably deserved the heave-ho (for arguing against the warnings), but I do find it comical as to how even-keeled he was during the whole exchange.
@ Anon 10:19
Yes I agree with pretty much all of that. It just seems ridiculous that the Atlanta announcer would think that Fredi was complaining about his team getting an extra shot.
UmpsRule @10:30
No argument from me there.
@ the anons: I am aware of the rulebook thank you for asking....
Your theory while correct is incorrect in practice... Umpires have been allowing managers to ask about warnings... It's the same confusion that occurs when some umpires allow managers to discuss balks while others eject for even coming out. You allowed the manager to come out... You let him talk to you for about 10 seconds then you ran him... So using your own theory he should have ejected him when he left the dugout... So we agree he handled it poorly just for different reasons.
Ok here's a homeowrk assignment... Can anyone show me a video where a manager was ejected for leaving the dugout to ask about warnings so quickly at the MLB level. Also when was the last time warnings were issued where both managers said ok fine thanks!! It is very rare. In an umpire fantasy world nobody would ever question anything....And the unmpire is always right.. and rulebook laywers application of the rules would always stand up in court.... The unfortunate thing is rulebook lawyers don't last long in pro ball as in general you can't talk to them as they don't handle situations well.
I think Conroy was way too quick on the ejection here. Freddi is not being demonstrative and does not appear to be yelling. I have seen many times where a Manager is ejected for arguing a warning, but usually it is well into the argument.
I remember in 2009 Eric Cooper ejected Ron Gardenhire for arguing a warning, but it was at least a minute into the argument and Gardenhire was yelling like he always does and was clearly not going to give it up.
If your Conroy, you have to at least listen to what Freddi is saying, then explain the warnings and if you still get questioning from Freddi then throw him out. But Jerry Layne was coming in to break up the conversation and it seemed like everything would be OK, but Conroy had to flex his muscle and try to impress the crew chief.
I will say Conroy had a very good strike zone yesterday from what I watched.
[2009]: Eric Cooper (7), Gardenhire ejected for arguing warnings
[2009]: Greg Gibson (4, 5), Hillman ejected for arguing warnings
[2009]: Angel Hernandez (2, 3, 4), Leyland ejected for arguing warnings
[2010]: Adrian Johnson (1, 2, 3), Shaefer ejected from dugout for arguing lack of action after thrown ball
[2010]: Eric Cooper (3), Leyland ejected for arguing lack of action after HBP
Thanks for posting those Gil. A common theme I see in those ejections is even if The Manager/Coach gets ejected quickly, it is because they are yelling and not giving up the argument. Gonzalez appeared to be talking very calmly and did not want to get ejected. If he still continues to question Conroy after Conroy's explanation than he should go. But that was way too quick from Conroy.
Gil,
You are officially awesome!! I think those videos are a good indication that you do not get run for leaving the dugout to ask about warnings.... Only an umpire apologist (or a friend of Conroy) would say the situation was handled well by Conroy.
Also awesome is the umpiring of al porter.... MLB has choosen the right guy IMO if they select him and considering he is up all year from the looks of things with Cousin's crew he will fit right into a MLB spot next season!!
That's a great point.....as long as they aren't arguing and just asking there is no harm and they should not be ejected. Every batter that disagrees with a pitch should be able to question the plate umpire, every batter and coach that disagrees with a check swing should be able to come out and ask the umpire what he saw and what he looks for in a check swing and every no step balk should deserve an explanation by the umpire. While we are at it we should probably include watching video and then coming out between innings to casually discuss what was seem on the screen, now that would be the umpire of the future like Tmac would like to see. Conroy put his hand up to tell Gonzales not to come out, he continued, he listened fot a few seconds and he was run. Yes, he could have run him when he left the dugout but chose not to. That is why this ejection is so good. Conroy got the warning in, fredi continued, fredi was ejected. Text book! This is the type of control MLB is looking for, not the guys that are afraid to handle a situation and dump it on their Crew chief. I'm not an umpire "apologist", just a fan of the guys that can and will handle the situation eg. West, Hernandez, Hallion, Winters, Darling, Nelson, Miller, Kellogg, Guccione, Iassogna........
Does anyone know what umps might be in their last year before retirement?
But anon 2:39, this is a different situation then arguing balls/strikes. Just look at the other examples Gil posted. In every one of those situations either the umpire gives the Manager plenty of time to talk or the Manager is yelling so much that he is just being demonstrative and clearly won't give the argument up.There are also many other times where a manger will discuss a warning and remain in the game.. Gonzalez deserves an explanation for why the warnings were issued and Conroy was for some reason unwilling to talk about it. If Gonzalez won't give it up after the explanation then eject him. But at least give him a chance to ask a question. Batters ask questions about balls/strikes every inning and don't get ejected. This shouldn't be any different. Both are unargueable by the rule book, but Gonzalez wasn't arguing he was asking for an explanation and you don't get ejected over that. I'm sorry. I think Conroy has done a good job in his 1.5 years as a call-up, but this was not a greatly handled ejection. I'm not saying Freddi wouldn't have eventually deserved to be ejected,but Conroy had way too short of a fuse on this one.
@ anon 2:39p... How about basing an argument on facts instead of trying to tear your opponent in the discussion down... Please show me where umpires are ejecting managers for leaving the dugout to discuss warnings... Nobody (except you) is bringing up balls and strikes. And most umpires explain balks... So i'll wait here for you to cite all these examples... Oh wait.. Facts... we don't need no stinkin' facts!!
Brian Knight tossed someone, apparently Leyland, from the Tigers-Mariners game today.
Alan Porter looks like a solid young ump. I saw him do a few games last year, and he was solid again tonight behind the plate in the Mets/Phillies game. Good work from that crew, Cousins, Kulpa, Wolf, and Porter, in general in this series.
If an umpire is explaining a no step balk, he doesn't deserve to be on a big league field. I understand that in some circumstances you will allow a manager to discuss a warning but with that being said Conroy's ejection was completely by the book and in no way the worst ejection of the year. There is no way anyone knows what was said by Gonzalez when he did reach the plate umpire. Sometimes it is so easy to sit and second guess. I'm not sure what facts you are refering to besides the directive that managers shall not argue warnings. I bet Fredi thinks twice next time he comes out on Conroy. Misson accomplished. If umpires never ejected anyone, we would need a new website to express our opinions.
But why should Conroy waive him off and not explain the warnings. Fredi has every right to ask not argue about warnings. As long as he is asking a question there is no need for Conroy to ignore Gonzalez. I would not say this is the worst ejection of the year, but I think Conroy needs to settle down a little bit. Managers have the right to ask you a question.
You can read Conroy's lips on this. Before Fredi even gets near him he says "Don't come out." Then says, "you can't argue warnings" a t least 4 times (that you can see) before tossing him. Who knows how many more times he told when the camera was off them. I don't see how this is a quick ejection when Conroy gave him SO many chances to walk away.
@ Anon 9:44
The point is that Conroy doesn't really need to give him all those warnings if Gonzalez is only asking for an explanation. Not than any sensible baseball observer really needed an explanation...
Rule 8.02(d) Comment: Team personnel may not come onto the playing surface to argue or
dispute a warning issued under Rule 8.02(d). If a manager, coach or player leaves the dugout or his
position to dispute a warning, he should be warned to stop. If he continues, he is subject to ejection.
Tmac,
Now please explain again why Conroy's ejection was the worst of the season. While you have called me, more than once, an umpire apologist, I would call you..........
Whatever the reverse term of an apologist is.
To me it's clear your wrong. Of course I'm willing to wait and hear your response, before I change it to your 101% wrong.
Way to go big Mark. I was waiting for Tmac to rebut before I quoted the directive. His issue should be with the other umpires that didn't follow policy. Not to use them as an example of what to do. Eric Cooper should not ever be used to an example of what to fo. The NYY-Tigers video should be used as a video to train umpires as to what not to fo in handling warnings.
To argue would be to say, "No way, No way"
To dispute would be to say, "Now hold a second, what about in the second inning... (Or) Hey, how can you warn both of us, they are the ones who......"
An explanation would be to say, "I didn't hear you, what did you say?"
Does anybody really believe Freddy didn't understand the warning?
What explanation does he deserve?
The warnings were given.
The only thing he can come out and say without being ejected is, "Did you warn us, ok thank you".
He deserves no explanation, if he did, the rule book would say the manager may come out and get clarity. It does not.
@anon 12:22am
Thanks for you input, great point about the 4 bad examples. I'm sure that is what tmac is using as an example. Tmac has seen other umpires not eject, so now he thinks Conroy is wrong.
Hey, if your an umpire, how many times have you went to a game, and the teams try something crazy or stupid, and their defense is, "The last umpire let us do that".
So now your in a shit house, because your umpire brother didn't take care of business and straighten out the teams the 1st time they tried the crazy B.S.
By the way, this was actually Conroy's fourth career ejection, not his third.
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