The Nationals beat the Yankees on Wednesday night (WAS 3, NYY 2), securing a sweep of their little two-game interleague series. Washington won without the molten hot Bryce Harper, who was ejected in the third inning.
Harper was ejected after ... a complicated situation. It all started with a low strike call Harper apparently disagreed with.
Harper was unhappy with the call and manager Matt Williams started barking from the bench. Harper stepped out of the box, home plate umpire Marvin Hudson told him to get back into the box, and Harper didn't do so in a timely manner. Bang, ejected.
After the game both Harper and Hudson spoke to reporters. Here's what Harper had to say:
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<figcaption>Bryce Harper and Marvin Hudson had a disagreement on Wednesday. (USATSI)
</figcaption>That is both 100 percent true and not a comment that will earn Harper many umpire friends. He already has something of a target on his back because of who he is, and that comment will only make things worse.
As for Hudson, here's what he told reporters:
Barry Svrluga ✔ @barrysvrluga
Ump Marvin Hudson on Harper: “He didn’t like the pitch, and I let him have his say going and coming. The dugout didn’t like it, and ...
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2015-05-21T02:34:15+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: 21 May 2015, 02:34:15 (UTC)">10:34 PM - 20 May 2015
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Barry Svrluga ✔ @barrysvrluga
Hudson, con't: "... one thing led to another and I had to run him. I had to eject him.” Source: The Nats have complained to MLB re Hudson.
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2015-05-21T02:34:45+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: 21 May 2015, 02:34:45 (UTC)">10:34 PM - 20 May 2015</time>
Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post says the Nationals have complained to MLB about Hudson, saying he "baits players." Based on the video, I can totally buy that.
I think both Harper and Hudson are in the wrong here. Harper was wrong because he clearly antagonized Hudson -- did you see how he stuck his toe in the box at 2:03 of the video? -- and that's a no-no. Hudson was also in the wrong because he helped escalate the situation. Umpires shouldn't have to take abuse but they shouldn't yap back either.
All ejections are reviewed by MLB and it's possible some fines will be handed down. Harper will certainly get one because he stepped out of the batter's box, which is a no-no according to the new pace of play rules.
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Harper was ejected after ... a complicated situation. It all started with a low strike call Harper apparently disagreed with.
Harper was unhappy with the call and manager Matt Williams started barking from the bench. Harper stepped out of the box, home plate umpire Marvin Hudson told him to get back into the box, and Harper didn't do so in a timely manner. Bang, ejected.
After the game both Harper and Hudson spoke to reporters. Here's what Harper had to say:
<figure>
</figcaption>That is both 100 percent true and not a comment that will earn Harper many umpire friends. He already has something of a target on his back because of who he is, and that comment will only make things worse.
As for Hudson, here's what he told reporters:
Barry Svrluga ✔ @barrysvrluga Ump Marvin Hudson on Harper: “He didn’t like the pitch, and I let him have his say going and coming. The dugout didn’t like it, and ...
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2015-05-21T02:34:15+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: 21 May 2015, 02:34:15 (UTC)">10:34 PM - 20 May 2015
</time>
Barry Svrluga ✔ @barrysvrluga Hudson, con't: "... one thing led to another and I had to run him. I had to eject him.” Source: The Nats have complained to MLB re Hudson.
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2015-05-21T02:34:45+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: 21 May 2015, 02:34:45 (UTC)">10:34 PM - 20 May 2015</time>
Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post says the Nationals have complained to MLB about Hudson, saying he "baits players." Based on the video, I can totally buy that.
I think both Harper and Hudson are in the wrong here. Harper was wrong because he clearly antagonized Hudson -- did you see how he stuck his toe in the box at 2:03 of the video? -- and that's a no-no. Hudson was also in the wrong because he helped escalate the situation. Umpires shouldn't have to take abuse but they shouldn't yap back either.
All ejections are reviewed by MLB and it's possible some fines will be handed down. Harper will certainly get one because he stepped out of the batter's box, which is a no-no according to the new pace of play rules.
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