Aaron Boone is no stranger to getting fired up with MLB umpires, but his latest ejection came at a particularly frustrating moment for the Yankees. New York had already done the hard work of taking control of Wednesday night’s game against the Angels, only for Boone to find himself watching from the clubhouse after a disputed check-swing call.
The Yankees ultimately held on for a 6-3 victory in 10 innings, but Boone clearly wasn’t willing to let the call go without making his feelings known.
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Boone ejected over controversial check swing
The incident happened in the bottom of the 10th inning with Angels infielder Vaughn Grissom at the plate against Yankees reliever Michael Fulmer.
Grissom appeared to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch, and first-base umpire Junior Valentine ruled that he did not go around. From the available replay, however, it certainly looked like Grissom’s bat traveled far enough to warrant a swing.
That was enough to send Boone out of the Yankees’ dugout.
Boone argued the call with Valentine and was eventually ejected. Pitching coach Matt Blake was also tossed shortly afterward.
It was Boone’s fifth ejection of the season.
And considering the circumstances, it’s easy to understand why Boone was furious.
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Replay gives Boone reason to be upset
Check-swing calls are among the most difficult calls for umpires to make in real time, but this one looked especially questionable when viewed from the side.
The replay appears to show Grissom’s bat getting well beyond the point where many would consider the swing complete. Had the call been changed, it would have resulted in a strikeout and the first out of the 10th inning.
Instead, the at-bat continued.
Boone’s reaction may have been aggressive, but the Yankees’ manager had a legitimate argument. This wasn’t simply a case of Boone disagreeing with a borderline strike-zone decision. There was a strong visual argument that the Angels hitter went around.
Fortunately for Boone and the Yankees, it didn’t end up costing them.
New York scored five runs in the top of the 10th to take a 6-1 lead before the Angels mounted a late rally. The Yankees ultimately escaped with a 6-3 victory.
Still, Boone will probably look at the replay and feel even more justified in his decision to come out of the dugout.
Sometimes, getting ejected is worth it.
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