Lloyd McClendon lets every umpire know how he feels following ejection
Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon is no stranger to being ejected from a ballgame. Back in 2001, McClendon went on one of the best post-ejection tirades ever, kicking his hat and stealing first base before leaving the contest.
That performance will likely never be topped, but it shouldn’t take away from what McClendon was able to accomplish Tuesday.
It all started in the top of the third inning. With Alex Rodriguez at the plate, pitcher Mike Montgomery delivered a 3-2 pitch. Rodriguez attempted to check his swing, causing catcher Mike Zunino to ask for an appeal.
The first base umpire ruled that Rodriguez did not swing. The call enraged Zunino, who started screaming at the first base ump. Zunino was ejected almost immediately.
That caused McClendon to spring into action. After running out to yell at the first base ump, McClendon was also ejected.
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Instead of leaving the field immediately, he opted to get his money’s worth. Once McClendon finished yelling at the first base ump, he threw his cap near home plate.
That must have been a reminder to McClendon that the home plate ump deserved some scorn. On his way there, however, he made sure to kick his cap.
After letting the home plate umpire know how he felt, McClendon turned his attention to the third base ump. He even hustled over to third in order to speed up the argument. Once again, McClendon aired his grievances.
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Finally satisfied, McClendon started making his way back to the dugout. He managed one more kick of the dirt on his way back. The fans were clearly amused by the event, giving the skipper a standing ovation as he left the game.
As far as ejection tirades go, this one ain’t bad. It might not be McClendon’s personal best, but that’s to be expected. Few teams could induce as much rage as the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early 2000s.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
