Just a few weeks ago, Yankees manager Aaron Boone got ejected after home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt mistook heckling from a fan for something from the dugout. And despite Boone pleading his case to the umpire, Wendelstedt defiantly stood by the incorrect ejection.
On Tuesday, we got to see what should have happened in that Boone fiasco. This time, it was with Marlins manager Skip Schumaker.
During Miami’s game against the Tigers, home plate umpire Ben May warned Schumaker to stop chirping from the dugout. The Tiger broadcast was actually focused on Schumaker as he acknowledged the warning and stood silently in the dugout. But seconds later, May ejected the Marlins manager.
It looked to be the Boone situation all over again, but this time, the umpires actually tried to make the correct decision.
The Aaron Boone fan ejection just got a sequel pic.twitter.com/068vvDBgJC
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 14, 2024
Schumaker emerged from the dugout to adamantly argue the case that he didn’t say anything. And he wasn’t lying — he really didn’t do anything that warranted an ejection. Crew chief Dan Iassogna came in from third base to hear Schumaker out and discuss the ejection with May. They determined that Schumaker wasn’t the one talking. Instead, it was bench coach Luis Urueta.
They rescinded Schumaker’s ejection and sent Urueta to the clubhouse.
And while we might see managers plead the Boone defense on future ejections, Schumaker genuinely didn’t say anything there. So, good on the umpiring crew for working towards the correct decision. Wendelstedt could learn something from that example.
