E54 - Christian Walker Ejected for Clapping After Earlier Check Swing Dispute with Umpire

But I prefer the version of events that concludes with Arizona's organist causing the ejection by playing a clap prompt (the song is called La Raspa) as Walker clapped after the bunt/check swings during Ahmed's at-bat.

[MrSeezero]

For all we know, he could have been clapping because the batter successfully checked his swing on time on a pitch that he should not have tried to swing at. If we are ejecting players for congratulating the good actions of their teammates, then this league is certainly in trouble. I was always taught to never jump to conclusions.

[rep]

“How do you know?” You don’t. That’s why you don’t toss someone just because you think they were trying to hurt your feelings.

[priceright]

Assuming that the clapping is related to a call on the field? Don't understand the thought process here.

[awwboo]

U should a breakdown of the organist clap songs

[theburnetts]

I actually don’t even understand how that clapping could be interpreted as sarcastic. The 1B ump called a no swing on Christian Walker’s teammate - which is a good thing for them. So it’s natural to clap. Everyone claps when the ump says “no swing” on one of their teammates. However if the 1B ump had called it a swing and then Walker clapped right at the ump I could maybe see that as being interpreted as being sarcastic. But even that would be hard. Baseball players clap all the time in the dugout. They clap when something good happens and when something bad happens they clap to get their teammates going. And the video of Walker was so bland - he was just clapping normally. No over enthusiastic clapping directed at an umpire. So weird. Ump has rabbit ears and thin skin.

[stoytastic]

The best thing the umpire should have done was warn Walker. That was a terrible ejection.

[roberthudson]

"How do you know?" You don't, which is why the umpire shouldn't have assumed the worst. It is interesting that you compared this incident to the Joey Crawford ejection of Tim Duncan. Crawford is the son and brother of major league umpires, and was notorious for bringing an umpire's attitude onto the court. After the Duncan incident, Crawford got a (David) Stern lesson from the NBA. He was fined 100K, suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs, and underwent anger management counseling before applying to be reinstated. Lesson learned, Crawford calmed down considerably for the rest of his career. Commissioner Manfred dreams of having that much power over his game officials.

[hammerhiem]

Looks like he was just clapping like everyone in every at bat of all time.

if you throw someone out for clapping you're going to look weak as hell.

[jeffdavis]

This is literally like Tim Duncan getting tossed for laughing! Fix your umps, Torre!!!

[XXelpollodiabloXX]

Unless he was saying something like, "Yeah! They finally got one right! I knew they could do it!" then I don't see why they would run him.

[akonrizzle]

Clapping? Jail..smiling....believe it or not, jail

[secondstring]

I'm sorry, but an umpire should not be able to eject a player for that. It should take a little more, even a lot more than that to be ejected.

[bsdsooner]

These umps are out of control this year. I mean, just pay attention to the game. Stop worrying about trying to find someone to kick out so your name is on TV. MLB has to do something about this.

[jeffwright]

A better organ song would have been If You're Happy And You Know It

[lotklear]

Things said are the missing ingredient so often in these ejections. Of course it might be "or not" also

[duffyy]

I truly believe the league is telling umps to push there ejections rates up.

[theburnetts]

I’m always amazed at the stories and narratives that this channel will construct to defend umpires at all costs. But never anything like that for players. When a player over reacts it is because players are emotional hot heads that need to just accept a call and move on. When an umpire over reacts there is an intricate story that fully vindicates the umpire. It’s ridiculous. This HP ump needs to get some thicker skin.

[BrianSmith-gpxr]

Perhaps the players show be as respectful as Otani. In Japan basebase The players never disrespect the umpires. The crowd would be embarrassed.

[philricke]

This is just ridiculous! Umps need a backbone

[rj]

😂love the bits of humor you add to some of these ejections 👏👏