HP Umpire Anthony A.J. Johnson ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing balls and strikes in the 7th inning of the Dodgers-Royals game. With two out and one on, Dodgers batter Matt Kemp attempted to
check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Royals pitcher Dan Wheeler. Replays indicate Kemp attempted to strike the pitch, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 7-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 8-2.
This is A.J. Johnson's first ejection of Spring Training and first career MLB ejection (pre-season [Johnson has not yet worked an MLB regular season game]).
This is the third MLB ejection of 2013.
Wrap:
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals, 3/25/13
Video:
Mattingly ejected following Kemp's strikeout, during "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; KC's Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc have the call
14 comments :
Looks like a swing to me. Is Anthony Johnson related to Adrian Johnson?
Funny, Russ had the same reaction when AJ took over behind the plate following Buckminster's broken hand in the Tim McClelland infield B/S ump game [FYI, Buckminster did return to work later that week in a working brace a la Andy Fletcher]. Very similar mechanics.
Wrists broke; he went.
Wonder what we'll see from A.J. this year -- he is 31, and in only his second year of AAA ball. Wonder how the JEAPU scandal plays into his evaluation, if at all, too.
I thought it was a bit humorous that after the ejection Mattingly continued on and on, as if he were instructing AJ on the finer points of umpiring. It looks like he was telling AJ the history of the 'strike' in big league baseball and AJ was having none of it.
That wasn't even close...have a feeling Mattingly is going to have a banner ejection year.
I'm thinking Don Mattingly and Mike Matheny are going to battle for the ejection lead this year.
I thought he was Alan Porter when I first turned this game on.
Yes, he went......
It should not matter. He should be judged on his umpiring capabilties alone. So to see him working Spring training games says something positive. On the other hand as a former JEAPU Professional Course student, siding with Jim in the matter, I do have some concerns him beeing there has been influenced by the "scandal". I hope it is not true, but it has crossed my mind when I first heard he was working Spring training. But I would definately not want to be in his shoes right now. I'm sure lots of people don't like him right now and that puts pressure on him. I'm not one of those people btw, I thought he was a great instructor and person and loved the arguments during training with him. I don't blame him for the whole situation. Unfortunate how things can trainwreck all of a sudden.
Great ejection by the way. Professional, formal, nothing dramatic and well deserved for Don.
*Trivia Note: Don Mattingly led the league in ejections in 2012 with six (030 Carlson, 039 Hallion, 061 Reyburn, 072 Meals, 099 Kellogg, 124 Tschida)*
One thing i take away from this is i'd like AJ to look at Mattingly in the eyes after the ejection..... Doesn't have to talk, just a minor pet peeve i have. AJ looking down or at the ground looks weak. And while i can tell AJ is annoyed (and deservedly so) he has to understand there is a feeling out process with managers and players to new umpires. Mattingly is proving himself to be very tough to deal with.
That's racist
I don't think it should matter, either. Just curious how it plays out. Can be a very political business.
tmac - agreed. He needs to make eye contact and let Mattingly know that he's giving rope, but that there's an end to it. He certainly doesn't do that here.
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