MLB Debut of Umpire James Jean

Umpire James Jean made his MLB debut during Friday's Astros-Mets game in New York alongside Crew Chief Alan Porter, HP Umpire Jim Wolf, and 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney. Jean's first regular season game behind home plate will be Sunday, June 30.

Jean first officiated in the 2016 Gulf Coast Rookie League and Florida Instructional League, with stops at New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Florida State, "High-A East", Southern, and International Leagues.

He called the 2022 MiLB XM All-Star Futures game as the home plate umpire.

Jean wears sleeve number 61 (formerly worn by Bob Davidson) and is the first umpire to make his MLB debut in 2024. Other umpires on the 2024 Minor League Call-Up list having yet to debut in the major leagues are Austin Jones #77 and Jen Pawol #95.

MLB Ejection 101 - Jim Wolf (1; Joe Espada)

HP Umpire Jim Wolf ejected Astros manager Joe Espada (strike three call to Jake Meyers; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Astros-#Mets game. With one out and two on, Astros batter Meyers took a 1-2 slider from Mets pitcher Dedniel Núñez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.41, pz 1.48 [sz_bot 1.50 / RAD 1.38]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 6-2. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Jim Wolf (28)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 2.16 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 101st ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 51st manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 51 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is Houston's 5th ejection of 2024, 3rd in the AL West (OAK, SEA 6; HOU 5; TEX 4; LAA 1).

This is Joe Espada's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 18 (Derek Thomas; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jim Wolf's 1st ejection since June 18, 2023 (Bob Melvin; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Houston Asstros vs New York Mets, 6/28/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 100 - Tripp Gibson (2; Matt Quatraro)

3B Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Royals manager Matt Quatraro (out of base path on Nick Loftin; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Guardians-#Royals game. With two out and one on, Royals batter Hunter Renfroe hit a ground ball to Guardians third baseman José Ramírez, who attempted to tag Royals baserunner R2 Loftin running between second and third base, resulting in an out of the base path ruling from 3B Umpire Gibson. Replays indicate Loftin ran more than three feet away from his base path to avoid a tag and this deviation was not part of his attempt to avoid interfering with a fielder fielding a batted ball, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 1-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1): "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

This is the 100th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 50th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is Kansas City's 2nd ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the AL Central (CWS 6; KC, MIN 2; CLE 1; DET 0).

This is Matt Quatraro's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 13 (Paul Clemons; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).

This is Tripp Gibson's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 28 (Daniel Moskos; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals, 6/27/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 099 - Derek Thomas (4; Pedro Grifol)

HP Umpire Derek Thomas ejected White Sox manager Pedro Grifol (strike three call to Nicky Lopez; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Dodgers-#WhiteSox game. With two out and one on, White Sox batter Lopez took a 2-2 sinker from Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone 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 0.83, pz 1.43 [sz_bot 1.37 / RAD 1.25]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 4-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Derek Thomas (106)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 1.01 horizontal and 3.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 99th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 49 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is Chicago's 6th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 6; MIN 2; CLE, KC 1; DET 0).

This is Pedro Grifol's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 22 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Derek Thomas' 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 22 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago White Sox, 6/26/24 | Video as follows:

A's Lose Run on Odd Retired Runner's Interference

Oakland lost a run in Anaheim as HP Umpire John Bacon declared A's baserunner Kyle McCann out at home after he missed home plate and was physically assisted by Athletics just-scored runner Armando Alvarez in returning to touch the missed base before the Angels had the opportunity to appeal. Was this the correct call?

Although Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(8) puts a runner out when "the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists them in returning to or leaving third base or first base," Alvarez, who scored seconds earlier, is not a coach and the base assistance came at home plate, not first or third base.

OBR 6.01(a)(5) pertaining to recently-retired runner's interference states, "It is interference by a batter or a runner when any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

But with Angels pitcher Roansy Contreras appearing oblivious to McCann's initial missed base touch at home, was the home team even planning to appeal the play? Does it even matter?

According to a Wendelstedt Manual interpretation, no it does not: "A runner is out...when a member of the offensive team, other than a another runner running the bases, physically assists..."

Because just-scored Alvarez was not a "runner running the bases" at the time of the physical assistance, this is considered interference by a retired/scored runner, which puts McCann out for Oakland depriving the Angels of the free choice of a potential appeal on the missed base touch.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 098 - Adam Hamari (1; Mike Shildt)

3B Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Padres manager Mike Shildt (non-ejection of MacKenzie Gore) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Nationals-#Padres game. With one out and none on, Padres batter Jurickson Profar took a first-pitch fastball for a hit-by-pitch. Benches previously cleared; warnings were issued. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Profar on his foot, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 98th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 48th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 48 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is San Diego's 6th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (SD 6; SF 5; ARI 4; COL 3; LAD 0).

This is Mike Shildt's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 16 (Adam Beck; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adam Hamari's 1st ejection since September 17, 2023 (Kevin Cash; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres, 6/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 097 - Jeremy Riggs (1; Gabriel Arias)

HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs ejected Guardians SS Gabriel Arias (strike one/two call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Guardians-#Orioles game. With one out and none on, Arias took 1-0 and 1-1 fastballs from Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin for called first and second strikes, before striking out swinging on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike one was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.31, pz 1.59 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]) and the pitch ruled strike two was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.46, pz 1.63 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 3-2. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Jeremy Riggs (112)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*Strike one was located 1.68 and strike two was 2.28 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 97th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Arias was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is Cleveland's 1st ejection of 2024, T-4th in the AL Central (CWS 5; MIN 2; CLE, KC 1; DET 0).

This is Gabriel Arias' first career MLB ejection.

This is Jeremy Riggs' 1st ejection since May 3, 2022 (Max Scherzer; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles, 6/24/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 096 - Vic Carapazza (6; Edwin Díaz)

3B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz (illegal substance/failed inspection) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Mets-#Cubs game. During an entry inspection conducted by 2B Umpire Brian Walsh, umpires detected an illegal substance on Díaz's pitching hand and ejected Díaz for violation of the prohibited substance rule. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 5-2. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s 6th ejection of 2024.

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 96th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 35 Players.

This is New York's 4th ejection of 2024, 2nd in the NL East (WAS 5; NYM 4; MIA 3; PHI 2; ATL 0).

This is Edwin Díaz's first career MLB ejection.

This is Vic Carapazza's 6th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 14 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Interference]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs, 6/23/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 095 - Todd Tichenor (3; David Bell)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Reds manager David Bell (ball four call; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #RedSox-#Reds game. With none out and one on, Red Sox batter Dominic Smith took a 3-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.97, pz 2.17), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 2-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Todd Tichenor (13)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 2.66 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 95th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 47th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 34 Players.

This is Cincinnati's 3rd ejection of 2024, 5th in the NL Central (CHC, MIL, PIT, STL 4; CIN 3).

This is David Bell's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 17 (Malachi Moore; QOC = U [Lighting]).

This is Todd Tichenor's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 18 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y-c [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Cincinnati Reds, 6/23/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 094 - Ben May (2; Jeff Banister)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Diamondbacks bench coach Jeff Banister (pitch clock violation) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Phillies game. With one out and two on, HP Umpire May called Diamondbacks pitcher Justin Martinez for a balk (stepped toward unoccupied third base and failed to throw), after which HP Umpire May called a pitch timer violation on substitute pitcher Joe Mantiply, who failed to start his delivery prior to the expiration of time following the pitching change, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 3-0. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Ben May (97)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(2): "If there is a runner or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw."

OBR 6.02(a)(4): "The pitcher, while touching their plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play."

This is the 94th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 14th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 46 Managers, 14 Coaches, 34 Players.

This is Arizona's 4th ejection of 2024, 3rd in the NL West (SD, SF 5; ARI 4; COL 3; LAD 0).

This is Jeff Banister's 1st ejection since June 1, 2023 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ben May's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 14 (Luis Urueta; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Philadelphia Phillies, 6/23/24 | Video as follows: