MLB Ejections 214-5 - Jordan Baker (2-3; LAD x2)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Dodgers 3B Max Muncy and manager Dave Roberts (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Dodgers-#RedSox game. With two out and the bases loaded, Muncy took a 0-2 splitter from Red Sox pitcher Chris Martin for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.54, pz 1.36 [sz_bot 1.48 / RAD 1.36 / MOE 1.28]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Red Sox were leading, 7-5. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

These are Jordan Baker (71)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.00 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 214th and 215th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 87th player ejection of 2023. This is the 98th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 98 Managers, 87 Players, 30 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 3/4th ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the NL West (SD 10; ARI 7; COL, LAD 4; SF 2).

This is Max Muncy's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 21 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Dave Roberts' 1st ejection since May 17, 2022 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Jordan Baker's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 30 (Dylan Floro; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox, 8/26/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 212-13 - Carlos Torres (4-5; MIN x2)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Twins CF Joey Gallo and manager Rocco Baldelli (ball two call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Rangers-#Twins game. With two out and the bases loaded, Gallo took a 0-1 cutter from Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning for a called second strike before striking out one pitch later. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.54, pz 3.81 [sz_top 3.54 / RAD 3.66 / MOE 3.74), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the Twins were leading, 4-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 12-2.

These are Carlos Torres (37)'s 4th and 5th ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.84 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

Benches also cleared in this game after an intentionally throwing at/HBP incident, resulting in warnings.

These are the 212th and 213th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 86th player ejection of 2023. This is the 97th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 97 Managers, 83 Players, 30 Coaches.

This is Minnesota's 11/12th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 12; CLE, KC 6; DET 4).

This is Joey Gallo's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 21 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 23 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Carlos Torres' 4/5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 6 (Alex Young; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]). 

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins, 8/25/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 211 - Laz Diaz (2; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch (strike three call to Javier Baez after pitch clock violation no-call) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Astros-#Tigers game. With one out and one on, Baez took a 3-2 sinker from Astros pitcher Framber Valdez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.66, pz 2.35), but that the pitch timer might have expired prior to Valdez initiating his motion to deliver the pitch (the penalty for which is an automatic ball). At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 1-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 3.00 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 211th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 96th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 96 Managers, 85 Players, 30 Coaches.

This is Detroit's 4th ejection of 2023, 5th in the AL Central (CWS 12; MIN 10; CLE, KC 6; DET 4).

This is AJ Hinch's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 17 (Nic Lentz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since August 7 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]). 

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers, 8/25/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 210 - Cory Blaser (2; David Popkins)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Twins hitting coach David Popkins (strike three call to Jorge Polanco; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Rangers-#Twins game. With two out and none on, Polanco took a 1-2 slider from Rangers pitcher Jose Leclerc for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.50, pz 1.76 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 5-4. The Twins ultimately won the contest 7-5.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 4.92 horizontal and 3.84 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 210th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 30th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 95 Managers, 85 Players, 30 Coaches.

This is Minnesota's 10th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 12; MIN 10; CLE, KC 6; DET 3).

This is David Popkins' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 14 (Nic Lentz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Cory Blaser's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 22 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins, 8/24/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 209 - Todd Tichenor (2; Robert Suarez)

1B Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Padres pitcher Robert Suarez (illegal substance) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Padres game. With none out and none on, Suarez entered the game to replace Padres pitcher Steven Wilson. During an entry inspection for illegal substances, umpires ejected Suarez for violation of the prohibited substance rule. At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 4-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Todd Tichenor (13)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7) states, "The pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance."

This is the 209th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 85th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 95 Managers, 85 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is San Diego's 10th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (SD 10; ARI 7; COL; LAD, SF 2).

This is Robert Suarez's first career MLB ejection.

This is Todd Tichenor's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 29 (Terry Francona; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs San Diego Padres, 8/23/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 207-8 - Pat Hoberg (2-3; BOS x2)

HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected Red Sox RF Alex Verdugo (strike two call to Adam Duvall; QOCY) in the 4th and manager Alex Cora (ball four to Alex Bregman, but really strike three calls to Justin Turner; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #RedSox-#Astros game. All you need to know for this report is all callable pitches under contest (strike call to Verdugo in the 3rd, strike call to Duvall in the 4th, strike three calls to Turner in the 3rd and 7th, ball four to Bregman in the 7th) were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of Verdugo's ejection, the Astros were leading, 2-0. At the time of Cora's ejection, the Astros were leading, 3-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

These are Pat Hoberg (31)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

These are the 207th and 208th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 84th player ejection of 2023. This is the 95th manager ejection of 2023. 

Ejection Tally: 95 Managers, 84 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is Boston's 6/7th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 9; BOS 7; BAL, TOR 6; TB 4).

This is Alex Verdugo's first career MLB ejection.

This is Alex Cora's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 20 (Junior Valentine; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Pat Hoberg 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 14 (Pedro Grifol; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros, 8/22/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 204-6 - Brennan Miller (4-6; STL x3)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras and manager Oliver Marmol (strike two call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th and Jordan Walker (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Pirates game. In the 7th, with two out and the bases loaded, Contreras took a 1-1 sinker from Pirates pitcher Colin Holderman for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.66, pz 1.22 [sz_bot 1.56 / RAD 1.44 / MOE 1.36]), the call was incorrect. At the time of Contreras and Marmol's ejections, the Pirates were leading, 6-3. In the 8th, with two out and none on, Walker took a 1-2 sinker from Holderman for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.63, pz 1.71 [sz_bot 1.67 / RAD 1.55]), the call was correct.* At the time of Walker's ejection, the Pirates were leading, 6-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

These are Brennan Miller (55)'s 4th, 5th, and 6th ejections of 2023.

*The Contrereas pitch was located 1.68 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

The Walker pitch was located 2.88 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 204th, 205th, and 206th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

These are the 82nd and 83rd player ejections of 2023.

This is the 94th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 94 Managers, 83 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 11-13th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 13; PIT 10; CHC, MIL 8; CIN 7).

This is Willson Contreras' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 23 (Dan Iassogna; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Oliver Marmol's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 27 (Will Little; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Jordan Walker's first career MLB ejection.

This is Brennan Miller's 4-6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 7 (Nick Pratto; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 8/22/23 | Video as follows:

Legal Plate Blocking in SD & Peace Keeping in CHI

In this twofer, we look at a reviewed-and-confirmed home plate collision rule/blocking no-call in Miami-San Diego and 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Dan Bellino's game management in Seattle-Chicago. Padres manager Bob Melvin unsuccessfully challenged HP Umpire Alex Tosi's out call at home, as Replay Review confirmed Marlins catcher Nick Fortes was legal in blocking home plate to tag out Padres baserunner Fernando Tatis.

We compare and contrast this play to Padres catcher Gary Sanchez's plate blocking violation in San Francisco earlier this season, that resulted in an ejection. The key is how the catcher sets up, as moving into the path in a legitimate attempt to field the throw, similar in theory to the runner's lane, requires that one was initially positioned legally in order to "exit" the legal position, so to speak. Fortes was initially legal, whereas Sanchez was not.

In Chicago, the Mariners were in the midst of a blowout of the White Sox. Mariners batter Jose Caballero was hit by a pitch by Brent Honeywell and the two teams chirped at each other, instructed by the umpires to knock it off. Subsequent batter Ty France then hit a foul fly ball near the Mariners dugout and 1B Umpire Bellino hustled to get in between the oncoming White Sox fielders and the visiting team in the dugout, just in case any left over theatrics remained.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 203 - Junior Valentine (5; Alex Cora)

HP Umpire Junior Valentine ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora (strike three call to Trevor Story; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #RedSox-#Yankees game. With two out and two on, Story took a 3-2 sinker from Yankees pitcher Michael King for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.17, pz 1.38 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43 / MOE 1.35]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 2-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Junior Valentine (25)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.36 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 203rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 93rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 93 Managers, 81 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is Boston's 5th ejection of 2023, 4th in the AL East (NYY 9; BAL, TOR 6; BOS 5; TB 4).

This is Alex Cora's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 5 (Chris Guccione; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Junior Valentine's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 24 (Ryne Stanek; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees, 8/20/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 202 - Clint Vondrak (2; Elvis Andrus)

HP Umpire Clint Vondrak ejected White Sox SS Elvis Andrus (strike one call to Luis Robert; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Rockies game. With none out and none on, Robert took a 0-0 cutter from Rockies pitcher Chris Flexen for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.59, pz 1.57 [sz_bot 1.77 / RAD 1.75 / MOE 1.57]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 5-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Clint Vondrak (116)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.02 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 202nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 81st player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 92 Managers, 81 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 12th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 12; MIN 9; CLE, KC 6; DET 3).

This is Elvis Andrus' 1st ejection since May 28, 2014 (Pat Hoberg; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Clint Vondrak's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 15 (Aaron Boone; QOCN = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Colorado Rockies, 8/20/23 | Video as follows: