Major League Baseball Player Goes Ballistic After Strike 3 Call, Hits Ump With Bouncing Helmet
- Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:46am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Brett Lawrie will likely be spending some time at home away from his time for his outburst last night.
That’s because after a questionable strike three call by umpire Bill Miller, Lawrie went absolutely ballistic. How ballistic? He yanked the helmet off his head, and slammed it on the ground toward Miller such that it bounced up and hit Miller in the side. And while Major League Baseball tacitly approves of arguing with umps, the moment a player makes any sort of contact with one, the commissioner usually brings down the hammer.
Here’s the video, which starts with the pitch before (also a questionable strike call) and shows the tension building. And if you’re like me, you will probably be a little concerned — it looks like at any minute Lawrie will start pummeling Miller:
But the drama didn’t end there. At the end of the game, a fan chucked a beer at Miller, leading to some choice words from the umpire if you can read lips. You can see that here.
By the way, all this reminds me: Have you seen the video of the Little League umpire with the whacky punch-out call from Mother’s Day? Could he soon see a Lawrie-like argument with a parent if he keeps this up in Little League?
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Comments (208)
lukerw
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:41amGo to your Time Out chair… until you can act alike a Big Boy!
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:39amThe first strike was borderline and was a bit outside..okay. However, that last strike was high and outside. I think the ump did not like the player calling “him out” on the first bad call. The batter should have sucked it up like every other player in the league does. He should be fined, ejected and 10-20 game suspension. Going after an ump is a “no no”.
Report Post »symphonic
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:34amUMPS need to be held accountable. Looks like he was today.
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:58amThat Ump need to RETIRE! Go find a job that doesn’t require 20/20 vision. That and clean the sh*t out of his pants.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:12pm@ symphonic
Report Post »Balls and strikes can be called electronically. They would be 100% accurate. Why aren’t they? The Umps have a union. They have no accountability.
Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:19pmCH-UMPS need to be held accountable.
That’s what NOVEMBER’S are for.
Report Post »Ethereal
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:55pmHe should have thrown the helmet into the stands…he wouldnt have hit anyone then
Report Post »flashback@liarinchief
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:36pmA real good role model for the young ones just throw a tantrum.
Report Post »Either way right or wrong didn’t the player get a paycheck in the end.
JRook
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:48pmHmmmm seems like the classic Roidrage. But of course no one in baseball would use roids.
Report Post »mekusmilkdud
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:51pmthe fan should be banned for the rest of the year, these idiots pay to get in and have a beer or two and think they can do what ever they wish, it is sad to see normally good people react this way the sports fan are in a sad state of affairs this day and age
Report Post »ChiroRef
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:24pmAfter showing the umpire up on the 3-1 pitch, the pitcher could have bounced the ball on the 3-2 and it would have been called a strike. Anyone who has played at any level from high school on up knows that.
Report Post »antiprogressive
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:57pmHe should have slugged the ump.
2 in a row, both blatant balls.
Report Post »It was intentional.
formidable_foe
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:06pmGentlemen… Gentlemen….
Report Post »C’mon! There’s no crying in baseball! A “professional” baseball player needs to have better composure of himself. Yes, the umps need to be held accountable for his performance, but this should happen elsewhere by his superiors. It is not any player’s duty or responsibility to address it on the field. It is one thing for a player to voice his dissatisfaction to the ump, and then there’s THIS example. Plain and simple, Mr. Lawrie acted like a complete douche nozzle.
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:09pmThat is why it is called playing a game instead of going to work.
Report Post »subic
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:15pmNope, a 10-20 game suspension is too light, suspend him for the season with the provision he acts like this in the future he’ll be banned for LIFE! This unacceptable in Pro Sports, shoot any sport for that matter…This guy is acting like a roid head.
I worked in baseball for 15 years and those MLB players have it made in the shade to the point they nearly get their ass wiped for them in the clubhouse. I think it $175K just to make the 25 man roster and ride the pine.
I’ve seen minor leaguers eating peanut butter and jelly as a pre & post game meal and living in a skanky hotel room for year after year. This guy makes it to the biggs and acts like this..he needs to be brought down off his high horse. Sh*t the umps make about 80-100 K a year depending on seniority.
Report Post »antiprogressive
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 5:25pmsometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.
we all know Management would simply respond – I’ll look ito it – and nothing else would ever be said.
or DONE.
I REFUSE to watch baseball every since the strike but I APPLAUD this bum.
I’d have smacked the ump myself.
Too many people are willing to sit back and take whatever is handed to them – wusses ALL.
Just look at what the gvm’t and Google are doing to you. Separately…
But you still use Google, and dipsh** will probably get re-elected.
Not by me.
Pick your fights but be willing to pay the consequences for your actions.
Report Post »Your PEERS will respect you.
And baseball FANS are stupid enough to continue paying your salary REGARDLESS what you do.
Uranium Wedge
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:07pmWow!… What a stupid game.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:51amthat ump needs glasses. i watched that at bat and the ump is blind and should not be working the majors. with talent like that he might even have a problem in little league.
Report Post »mcsledge
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 2:02pmChiroRef – Yes, but it doesn’t make it right.
I believe umpires and referees should be evaluated. Tenure should not exist in sports. If you can’t cut it, you should be canned. Thanks to the UNIONS, this will never happen.
Report Post »mitcha_ca_sux
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 12:04pmLets see how you feel when some outside entity comes to your work and decides to destroy YOUR career. Yea, not so funny then is it… Loser…
Report Post »AirtechJr
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:36amDie hard fans will always watch baseball. But for the “I only watch the playoffs ” fans, this is a good example why. Play should decide the winners, not the officials.
Report Post »gperky
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:00amThat is true but part of Baseball has always been the umpires. Right or wrong, they have the last say and always should in my opinion. When you take the “Umpire Factor” out of the game, it’s no better than sitting on your couch with a video controller!
Report Post »JediPatriot
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:12am@ AirtechJr
Report Post »“Play should decide the winners, not the officials.”
I couldn’t agree with you more. In all sports you will see the officials making outrageous calls that give one team a better chance to win. It takes away from the athletes’ abilities. And the fans are the ones paying for it. Literally.
Peace
chips1
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:35pmThat is the reason I watch the Little League World Series every August. Auult players instead of grown up babies.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:47pmI stopped watching all sports when they started the slave trade and killed the hometown hero and today some aren’t even U.S. Citizens.
Report Post »Uranium Wedge
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:11pm@JEDIPATRIOT
Report Post »We are not there yet…. But we are close.
moonpeace
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:30amThe umpire clearly made atrocious calls, of which at least two were not even close to being correct. I think I would have gotten just as angry as the batter, but also think I would have been able to restrain my temper. However, I believe the helmet simply took a bad hop and went toward the umpire. It wasn’t meant to hit the umpire. Nonetheless ejection from the game had to happen because just arguing a ball and strike call is enough for that. Anyone would understand the player’s anger at the umpire in this situation. Had the helmet only bounced in a different direction it would have looked better for the batter, but he would still have been ejected, right?
Report Post »CoMa
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:28amPerhaps the ump should do his damn job. Player was wrong making physical contact, but i’m with him and his manager for standing up to horrible calls and getting trhown out.
He got PAID to make those calls?
DLCraig
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:24amBit of roid-rage ya think…? Who is this pig of a player..? Send him home to find honest work…
Report Post »Kenny_in_Indiana
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:38amHe is doing honest work you troll. He is entertaining us. That is what he is paid to do. Play ball and play it well. What makes his work any less honest than mine or yours? He gets paid a ton because he is one of the .05 percent of the world that plays this game better than the masses. He is an entertainer.
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:15pmThe only dishonesty I say was coming from the Ump… He is terrible at his job and needs to RETIRE!
Report Post »EJ1979
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:23amAwww poor guy, life must be tough.
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:17pmThe people defending the Umpire in this thread have never played baseball, and probably don’t even watch it.
Report Post »Texas4Ever
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:22pmAbsolutely Truth,
The umpire in this situation is the one at fault. LIke I said in an earlier post, he made himself bigger than the game by taking out his perception of being “shown up” and allowing to affect the outcome of an at bat. I definitely would have gotten tossed after that second call too. I may not have hit him with my helmet but I can tell you, I played college baseball, and I have wanted to do the same thing on more than one occasion.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:21amTime to start ejecting umpires that can’t call obvious balls and strikes.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:21amMaybe if he had a regular job, he would see that you would be fired for actions like these.
Report Post »TheRivuh
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:35amWell he doesn‘t have a regular job and if you think that he isn’t in one of the most cut throat professions that evaluates on performance and releases you on poor results (strike outs) than you are outside of your mind.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:19amIt’s no excuse to act like a d ou Che. Maybe your outside your mind?
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:20amThose were bad calls, no matter what era of the game. I never seen two bad calls like that in a row. Sometimes it’s one bad call, or a close tag out. But that was pathetic from the ump.
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:19amAll over a kid’s game.
How pathetic.
Report Post »Kenny_in_Indiana
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:36amA kids game that the player makes his living at. If he has a poor batting average, guess what, he doesn’t make good money doing something he is good at. He will be judged every day on his performance on the field, and you don’t need an outside influence dictating how well/poor you perform. He over reacted, but this is his livelihood that this ump is messing with.
Good for him
Report Post »Kenny_in_Indiana
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:18amOver reaction by the player? Yes. BUT, I bet that ump tightens up his strike zone from here on out. HORRIBLE CALLS. Those were clearly balls. As far as I am concerned, that ump got what he deserved.
Report Post »Treaty
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:18amThe first pitch was a ball but the second was a strike – a little high but still in the box. Either way the Rays would have won. Rays are on a roll.
Report Post »Eirana
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:23amlol, the second one was far worse than the first, particularly coming on the heals of the first. Are you related to the umpire?
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:03amGo Rays!!! Heh heh heh…..
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:20amHey bio. Go Rays.
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:34amDude, it’s the Birds of Baltimore who are the surprise in the east. Go B’more!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:40amMornin’, Prey! I’ll be watching tonight to see if the Rays take down the Red Sux again. Love it when that happens. :)
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:48am@moonpeace, my husband’s from Baltimore. He‘s happy to see the O’s doing so much better than they have been for the last few years. He’s still an Orioles fan but now that he lives here in the Bay area, he supports the home team.
Glad to see Luke Scott is doing so well for us, too. He was a pretty good acquisition for the Rays. Thanks, O’s! :)
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:58amWhat a punk. It‘s a long season goofball and it’s only May. Better back off the steroids.
Report Post »zigatolis
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:53amRoid Rage!
Report Post »Steve28
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:45amBad calls, but worse reaction. Mommy used to say two wrongs don’t make a right.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:11amNice!!!
Report Post »Pro-Palin
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:12amSteve28
Report Post »Though your statement is correct on a personal level. Would it also a apply to an election? No I am not a Paul bot But I think the range of candidates we had to choose from were very weak to begin with. Two wrongs wont make it right I think.
macpappy
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:39amAny excuse is a good one when a spoiled little man needs to vent. It’s baseball, and all sports are for kids.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:32amWhat does this sentence mean Mr. Seidel? “Brett Lawrie will likely be spending some time at home away from his time for his outburst last night.”
Report Post »SovereignSoul
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:59pmApproximately 25% of the articles on this site contains such errors. It appears the “professional” journalists no longer take pride in their craft.
Report Post »Some Chicken Some Neck
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:23amObviously, Lawrie was out of line. Just as obviously, the home plate umpire was ringing him up no matter where the next pitch was after Lawrie started to first on the first ball four . . . .
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:41amGood way to get a couple week R&R………..
Report Post »NC1
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:21amGlad there weren’t many people there to see that happen.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:08amNature of the game. Some calls are bad. As a professional, you need to maintain your cool. You will have more at bats. It didn’t ruin your career. This wasn’t the final game of the World Series. CALM DOWN!
Report Post »noproblems
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:38amthat ump should not be allowed on a MLB field again.
Report Post »Texas4Ever
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:14pmWhat an awful call. You know who needs to keep their cool in that video? The umpire. Miller felt he was “showed” up by Lawrie when he took off for first after the first awful call her made. Miller then decided in his head that he was going to call the next pitch a strike as long as it was caught by the catcher. That is what grown up’s do, take their anger out on others when they screw up. Miller should be suspended too, because he made himself bigger than the game.
Report Post »dannyo
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:03amwish people would get this mad at a potus who is hellbent on destroying america..
Report Post »jackact
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:37amWe do.
Report Post »We also hate Bud Selig
TheEDGE
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 5:51pmAh, come on DannyO. Pay no attention to the whole POTUS thing. There has to be some game or movie or talent show on that will ease your mind a little. When my children ask why we let the greatest nation in the history of planet earth go down the crapper, I’m going to tell them that the entertainers of this era were just too charismatic, gratuitous, and humble to ignore for even one election cycle. I think Idol is on tonight! Who do ya think is gonna take it this season?!!!!
Report Post »jackact
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:00amIf the liberal mantra, “there are no losers because we are all winners” (as taught by the US dept of Ed) we would be witnessing less of this dispicable behavior.
Report Post »Professional sports stopped being ‘professional’ long ago.
Don’t watch.
Silversmith
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:56amWhat a lame call. I think I’d be ticked off too if it were me.
Silversmith
Report Post »REVerse
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:55amUmp made a poor call. No way that was a strike.
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