HP Umpire Mike Estabrook ejected Red Sox DH David Ortiz, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg and pitcher Jim Johnson for fighting in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Orioles-Red Sox game. With one out and one on, Ortiz hit a 3-0 fastball from Gregg to center fielder Adam Jones for a double play; a brawl ensued during play.* Replays indicate several pitches during this at bat had been inside, warnings had been issued; all players were ejected for fighting, none for intentionally throwing at batters, the call was correct.** At the time of the ejections, the Red Sox were leading, 10-3. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 10-3.
These are Mike Estabrook (83)'s third, fourth, fifth, and sixth ejections of 2011.
Mike Estabrook now has 30 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 4*[3 AAA + 2 Correct Call] = 30)
Mike Estabrook was not drafted in 2011.
*The brawl resulted in a double play as Red Sox baserunner Josh Reddick was declared out for abandoning the bases as he ran to participate in the brawl while the ball was still live.
**This call is correct per UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.
These are the 111th, 112th, 113th, and 114th ejections of 2011.
These are the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and 54th player ejections of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Ortiz was 2-4 in the contest.
Prior to his ejection, Gregg's line was 1.0 IP, ER.
Saltalamacchia and Johnson did not participate in the contest.
Wrap: Orioles at Red Sox 7/8/11 Wrap
Video (1): Benches Clear, Fight Night at Fenway
Video (2): BAL @ BOS 7/8/11 Condensed Game (16:50 - 25:55)
Something I have never seen before in a situation such as this -- the umpires ruled the runner on third "out" for abandoning the base to participate in the fight.
ReplyDeleteI am not so sure this is supported by the rules.
Not that it matters, but I think Gregg's ejection falls under the Unsportsmanlike-NEC category because he was tossed as soon as he shouted and gestured at Ortiz.
ReplyDeleteWatch Estabrook. He tosses Gregg as soon as the pitcher opens his mouth, and waves again for Ortiz as soon as the hitter charges. Then he actually tries to pull Ortiz away! There's an amazing photo of this on the Big League Stew post:
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Beantown-Brawl-David-Ortiz-Kevin-Gregg-come-to?urn=mlb-wp12017
I like the abandoning the base call too. If the guy walked off early because he couldn't count outs, he'd be out. And if he left the dirt circle instead of running out a dropped third strike, he'd be out. He should have scored the run, or at least tried, before joining the festivities.
Gotta love how Estabrook started like he was going to try to get between Ortiz and Gregg and then smartly backed away.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 6:15 Anon, Gregg got tossed early as soon as he gestured and yelled something to Ortiz.
While calling Reddick out is a legitimate call, why would you do that? Seems like Boston kind of got the short end of the stick on that one simply because it was at bat. Does anybody know of the same call being made in other similar incidents?
One thing about Buck Showalter is he knows the rules. My educated guess is it was he who pointed out that the guy on 3rd abandoned his effort
ReplyDelete"While calling Reddick out is a legitimate call, why would you do that?"
ReplyDeleteWhile yes, this is baseball and unlike games played with a time limit, the trailing team can come back at any time, when the home team is up 7 runs going into the top of the 9th, the game really is all but decided. If for anything else, why not just to get the game moving and decided?
Great Job by this crew in sorting this mess out. Estabrook should have dumped Ortiz when he stepped out of the batter's box toward the mound the first time. Estabrook also thought better than to get in the way. Good Job. The abandoning effort is an easy call. He left the bases to participate in a fight which is strictly prohibited. Nicely done. I agree that Buck probably had something to do with that call. Ortiz should be suspended at least 5 games for this.
ReplyDeleteReddick, the runner on third, remained in fair territory. The rule mentions only heading for the dugout or to his position as instance when he can be considered abandoning:
ReplyDeleteRule 7.08(a) Comment: Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the baseline heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases.
When the benches first cleared as Ortiz stepped toward the mound, Reddick can be seen leaving third and running toward Ortiz.
ReplyDeleteIn the condensed game video, Reddick (#16) is clearly seen in the middle of the scrum after the fly out. At 21:18 he is standing next to Ellsbury, no helmet on, and they appear to be on the top step of the Red Sox dugout.
Bad situational awareness by Reddick; good call by the crew.
Great call by the crew. Remember since Reddick was called out, then he would also have had a chance to score on that play. Players running on the field would be called for interference or obstruction. A fight would not make the ball dead, if that's the case the catcher would just have to punch the on deck batter as the winning run was rounding third. Pete Rose would have scored the run AND some punches!
ReplyDeleteMLB has announced the following fines and suspensions related to July 8/9/10's incidents:
ReplyDeleteRed Sox DH David Ortiz: 4 Game Suspension / Undisclosed Fine
Orioles P Kevin Gregg: 4 Game Suspension / Undisclosed Fine
Red Sox C Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Undisclosed Fine
Orioles P Jim Johnson: Undisclosed Fine
Red Sox P John Lackey: Undisclosed Fine
Orioles P Mike Gonzalez: 3 Game Suspension / $1,500 Fine
Orioles Manager Buck Showalter: 1 Game Suspension / Undisclosed Fine