Myrtle Beach Pelicans manager Joe Mikulik stripped down out of his cleats and jersey during a meltdown he suffered after being ejected in Sunday's Class A minor league baseball game against the Salem Red Sox.
It happened in the top of the fifth inning as Pelicans runner Luis Mendez was tagged out at home plate during an inning-ending double play. Mikulik clearly did not like the call as he argued with home plate umpire Adam Beck by getting into his face. When Mikulik began pointing in Beck's face, Beck had enough and ejected him. However, that was only the beginning.
Mikulik slammed his helmet down, kicked dirt on home plate and continued to bark at Beck as he walked away. Mikulik then proceeded to act out the feet-first slide into home plate by Mendez - twice - before taking off his shoes and jersey and leaving them at home plate. Mikulik put the final exclamation point on his meltdown by making the "safe" call before walking back to the dugout, leaving pitching coach Steve Mintz to pick up his cleats and jersey.
Not sure what Mikulik was trying to accomplish from this temper tantrum. It's not behavior that he would want his players to emulate. It's not going to help him move up the ranks of the Texas Rangers organization. More importantly, it's not going to help convince the umpires to give Mikulik the benefit of the doubt the next time there's a close play at the plate involving his team.
Mikulik should have thought this through beforehand. He probably didn't, and maybe that's the problem.
DISCLAIMER: It should go without saying, but Holdout Sports does not condone Mikulik's behavior.
Video via Salem Red Sox. H/T BLS.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
