MLB umpire C.B. Bucknor was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning after taking a foul ball directly off his face mask.
The incident occurred with two outs in the inning and Rays catcher Nick Fortes at the plate. Brewers pitcher tried to strike Fortes out with an inside fastball on a 1-2 count. Fortes swung just under the ball, knocking it directly behind him and slightly up, causing it to collide with Bucknor’s face mask.
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Bucknor, 63, immediately stumbled to the ground and was tended to by Brewers catcher William Contreras before trainers got out to the field. Bucknor was evaluated by trainers and eventually able to stand up under his own power, but it was determined Bucknor should leave the contest. He left the field with trainers, though was mostly able to walk on his own. Members of the Brewers’ training staff did assist Bucknor as he walked down into the team’s dugout to leave the contest.
The incident came a day after Bucknor was involved in a controversial play call at first base. During Tuesday’s game — a 6-2 win by the Brewers — Bucknor erroneously claimed Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers did not touch first base while attempting to beat out a hit. The play was challenged and clearly showed Bauers touching the base. Bucknor’s error was overturned, causing both managers to laugh at the sequence of events.
Near the end of that sequence, Brewers play-by-play announcer Jeff Levering quipped, “I’m really excited for him to have the plate tomorrow,” obviously not knowing Bucknor would leave the contest early.
On Sunday, Bucknor also caught flak from fans for having consecutive calls overturned during a crucial at-bat. Cincinnati Reds fans erupted in cheers after both of Bucknor’s calls were wrong.
It’s unclear whether Bucknor will miss additional time after leaving Wednesday’s contest.
This story will be updated.
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