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What Happened
In the third inning of a baseball game, Colorado Rockies manager Warren Schaefer steps out of the dugout to argue a called strike against his batter, Freddie Freeman. Schaefer vehemently disagrees with the umpire's decision, believing the pitch was outside the strike zone. He expresses his frustration, saying "That's twice. Let's go," referring to what he feels are two incorrect strike calls against his team. Umpire Ramon Hernandez quickly ejects Schaefer, who is stunned by the swift decision. Schaefer removes his gum, throwing it to the ground, and then removes his hat, also spiking it in anger. He pleads with Hernandez, saying "That's too quick. Come on, man." Schaefer asks Hernandez what he said to warrant the ejection, and Hernandez explains that Schaefer had complained about two consecutive questionable strike calls. Schaefer continues to argue his case, noting that the first strike call was also a ball. He tells Hernandez, "Otherwise I wouldn't have freaking snapped on you. Okay? So you just remember that it was because both." Hernandez acknowledges Schaefer's point. As Schaefer leaves the field, the cameras capture the very next pitch, which is another breaking ball called a strike against the Rockies' batter. Reporters later ask Schaefer about his decision to throw his gum, and he explains that he has been fined in the past for spitting on umpires, so he wanted to make sure to get "whatever's in [his] mouth out of it" before further expressing his frustration. Throughout the incident, Schaefer maintains a passionate but professional demeanor, advocating for his team while ultimately accepting the umpire's decision. This early-game confrontation sets the tone for the remainder of the contest between the two NL West rivals.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentFirst managerial ejection for MLB manager Warren Schaefer of the Colorado Rockies.
This breakdown is brought to you by SeatGeek.
It's the beginning of the game.
We're in the third inning.
Freeman steps in.
First pitch.
Called a strike.
He's like, what?
I have that inside.
I don't have that as a strike.
You already took one from me.
Okay, I get two more.
I'm not going to be loud about it.
But, boy, do I disagree.
Right off the rip.
So it's 0-1.
He takes a gather breath.
Steps back into the box.
And now he's like, I got to fight.
I got to be in this battle.
We're going to get a breaking ball on top of the zone.
Little check swing.
It hits the bat.
He's like, damn it.
0-2.
All right.
All right.
Don't go chasing.
Don't go chasing.
Doesn't go chasing.
It doesn't get caught.
He's rung up.
He doesn't like it.
I think it's in there.
I think it gets, you know, the catcher not catching it.
And how much drop it has at the end changes it.
But, you know, the little tracker.
It has it in there.
Not that that thing is really accurate or dependable.
But if you look at the side view, it looks like it's in there.
Anyway, here's how everything went down.
The pitch was thrown.
It was called a strike.
He says, come on, man.
That's twice.
Let's go.
That's it.
You're gone.
What?
What are you talking about?
Whoa.
Hey, that's too quick.
Takes the gum.
Puts it in his hand.
Spikes it.
That's too quick.
Takes the hat.
Puts his hand.
Spikes it.
Too quick.
He's thrown out.
That ball is down.
That ball is right down here.
It's right here, Ramon.
Right here.
That's where it is.
Low.
Come on, man.
That's too quick.
Come on.
Actually, hey, before I go, I'll ask you right now.
What did he say to you?
He said it was twice in a row.
He's like, okay.
I'll take my hat and I'll leave.
Then I, if he said that, what am I going to do?
Tells you, you got two wrong in a row.
I mean, obviously he deserves to get ejected as quickly as he possibly can.
I'll just leave.
Actually.
Wait.
Hey, Ramon, come here.
Come here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
One more thing.
That strike one pitch was a ball too.
Otherwise I wouldn't have freaking snapped on you.
Okay.
So you just remember that it was because both.
Okay.
I got it.
All right.
All right.
Cool.
I'm leaving.
I'm leaving.
Want to know what happened on the very next pitch after the ejection?
A breaking ball below the zone called strike message.
Not heard.
The reporters asked a very good question.
Why'd you throw your gum?
And Schaefer gave a very good answer.
I've spit on an umpire before in my career and gotten fined big time.
And I don't want to do that again.
So I just want to make sure I get whatever's in my mouth out of it.
You just got to get whatever's in your mouth out of it.
And then after that, you got to get whatever's in your heart out of it.
And that ball was right down here.
Ramon.
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