MLB umpire Derek Thomas has a short fuse.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner paid the price for it on Sunday.
Thomas was working home plate for Sunday’s game between the Cubs and Detroit Tigers. He called Hoerner out on a bad called third strike. He then swiftly ejected Hoerner after Hoerner protested the call.
The ejection took place in the top of the fifth inning. Hoerner faced a 2-2 count with a runner on second and the Cubs trailing, 2-0. Tigers starter Jack Flaherty threw a 90 mph fastball that was probably low and definitely inside.
Hoerner called it a strike for the second out of the inning. Hoerner turned around to protest the call. Thomas immediately threw his hand in the air to signal that Hoerner was ejected.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell ran out of the dugout to share his thoughts with Thomas. The ejection wasn’t as quick, but Thomas also sent Counsell to the Cubs clubhouse. Counsell didn’t leave the field without finishing what he had to say.
What Hoerner said
So Thomas must have said something egregious to warrant such a quick ejection, right?
It turns out, not so much. Hoerner shared with reporters after the game what he said to get ejected.
“I don’t think it’s really that often you can verbatim say to the press afterward what got you thrown out,” Hoerner said. “I said ‘you’re having a really bad day.'”
On-field audio verifies Hoerner’s account:
“You’re having a really bad day so far,” Hoerner said to Thomas before Thomas promptly gave him the hook.
Hoerner then pleaded his case with Thomas.
“I said you’re having a really bad day so far,” he continued, hammering home that he hadn’t said any of the magic words that are generally associated with such a swift ejection.
Counsell took up the case from there. But their pleas were to no avail. Hoerner’s ejection was final and Counsell’s soon followed.
The Tigers went on to a 4-0 win. And there was no accountability for Thomas for following up one bad decision with another. And fans calling for automated balls and strikes calls were provided with another shining example to make their case.
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