Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider was ejected from Sunday's MLB game in Arizona for arguing with the home plate umpire over a check swing call.
It happened in the top of the seventh with one out and nobody on with the Blue Jays leading 8-7. On the first pitch of Blue Jays batter Daulton Varsho's at-bat, Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel threw an 87 mph slider that bounced in front of home plate. Varsho checked his swing, but home plate umpire Gabe Morales called a strike, claiming that Varsho swung at the pitch. Varsho pleaded his case, asking Morales to check with the third base umpire for an appeal, but his request was denied.
At that point, Schneider left the dugout to back up his player. Morales tried to warn Schneider to drop it, but when Schneider kept going, Morales tossed him from the game. Schneider figured he would get his money's worth while he was out there, so he continued to argue for about a minute until crew chief Doug Eddings stepped in and sent him back to the dugout.
John Schneider got ejected after the home plate umpire didn't ask for help on this swing call pic.twitter.com/uPBuGChD0Z
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 14, 2024
We have seen many terrible calls by home plate umpires lead to manager ejections this year alone. Schneider seemed to have a point, as Varsho clearly did not swing. Unfortunately, until they start using robot umpires, the humans behind the plate have the final call.
Varsho ended up striking out swinging, but finished the game 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI as the Blue Jays held on to beat the D-backs 8-7. Ginkel took the loss.
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.
