Sunday represented the final day of the 2023 season’s unofficial first half, with the All-Star break ringing in a four-day break for teams throughout the league. Some clubs could use the break more than others, though the off time is not just a respite for players and coaches—it’s also a much-needed bit of breathing room for the umpires who work just as often as anybody else in the game.
And during Sunday’s game between the Cubs and Yankees, Chicago manager David Ross took an opportunity to use the knowledge of the impending All-Star break to give home plate umpire Alex MacKay a piece of his mind.
It was only the bottom of the first inning when MacKay ejected Ross for arguing balls and strikes, prompting Ross to take a trip to home plate to speak his mind. Thankfully for the viewing public, microphones from the broadcast caught a good portion of the extremely NSFW tirade.
"You've gotta be better. You got one goddamn game before you get a break and you're that fucking bad already?" Cubs manager David Ross to home plate umpire Alex MacKay.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 9, 2023
"That's one of the best lines I've ever heard."- Yankees analyst Paul O'Neill of YES Network ⚾️😂🎙️🤬 pic.twitter.com/PNuz687z9T
“You’ve got to be better,” Ross shouted. “You got one goddamn game before you get a break and you’re that f------ bad already? Why?”
That tirade earned the approval of YES Network broadcaster Paul O’Neill, who said upon hearing Ross’s words, “That’s one of the best lines I’ve ever heard.” Ross received a head start on his break for his actions, and simultaneously a place in baseball ejection lore for his memorable display.
