Wednesday, June 12, 2013

MLB Ejections 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076: Clint Fagan (3-8)

HP Umpire Clint Fagan ejected Diamondbacks P Ian Kennedy and Manager Kirk Gibson for throwing at Dodgers batter Zack Greinke and Diamondbacks Assistant Hitting Coach Turner Ward, Dodgers Batting Coach Mark McGwire, RF Yasiel Puig and P Ronald Belisario for fighting in the bottom of the 7th inning of the
Fight drifts in front of the 1B dugout, camera well.
Diamondbacks-Dodgers game. With one out and none on, Kennedy hit batter Greinke with a 0-1 fastball thrown up and inside resulting in a bench clearing incident. Prior to the Kennedy-Greinke HBP, Fagan warned both benches after D-Backs catcher Miguel Montero was hit by a 2-1 Greinke fastball in the top of the 7th inning, which followed a Kennedy HBP of Puig on a 1-2 count in the bottom of the 6th inning. Puig, who was hit in the head, was attended to by medical staff and remained in the game. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Clint Fagan (82)'s third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ejections of 2013.
Clint Fagan now has 28 points in the UEFL (10 Previous + 6*[3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable] = 28.
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 8 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (2 Previous + 6 Irrecusable Call = 8).

These are the 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, 75th and 76th ejections of 2013.
These are the 33rd, 34th and 35th player ejections of 2013. Prior to ejection, Kennedy's line was 6.1 IP, 2 ER.
Prior to his ejection, Puig was 0-2 in the contest with one HBP and one R.
This is the 34th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Diamondbacks' 5-7th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the NL West (LAD 8; ARI 7; SF 4; SD 2; COL 0).
This is the Dodgers' 6-8th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL West (LAD 8; ARI 7; SF 4; SD 2; COL 0).
This is Ian Kennedy's first career ejection.
This is Kirk Gibson's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since April 20 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Y).
This is Turner Ward's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since August 10, 1994 (Ted Barrett; QOC = U).
This is Mark McGwire's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since August 16, 2001 (Tim Timmons; QOC = U).
This is Yasiel Puig's first career ejection.
This is Ronald Belisario's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since August 28, 2010 (Marty Foster; QOC = U).
This is Clint Fagan's first ejection since June 2 (Yadier Molina, Mike Matheny; QOC = Y).
This is Brian Gorman's 2nd bench clearing brawl of 2013 (March 9, Canada-Mexico, World Baseball Classic).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6/11/13
Video: Kennedy drills Greinke up and in, resulting in a massive and empassioned bench clearing brawl (LAD)
Video: Compilation of the hit-by-pitches that resulted in the melee in front of the Arizona dugout (LAD)
Video: Montero is struck and benches clear, but umpires elect to only issue warnings (LAD)
Video: Puig is injured in the nose by a bean ball to the head in the sixth inning, but stays in the game (LAD)
Video: After the brawl, Greinke slides hard into second base in an attempt to break up a double play (LAD)
Video: Mattingly discusses the fight during his post-game presser / Gibson and Kennedy give their thoughts
Related Video: In the 4th, umpires lose track of the count, giving Kennedy 4 strikes with which to K Puig (ARI)

49 comments :

Lindsay said...

UEFL curse, with that bench clearing non-fight in Tampa Bay vs Boston post from last night.

But at the same time, that piece - and the way this all developed - shows why simple warnings are just not sufficient. If the umps nip this in the bud and flat out eject Greinke or someone else after the benches clear the first time, this doesn't happen. Greinke of course was the center of the Carlos Quentin/Padres fight.

But regardless of that, the really, and I mean REALLY stupid move was for Mattingly to send Greinke up to bat for himself in the bottom of the 7th, especially because there was no way in hell with that pitch count that Greinke would be pitching the 8th (and in fact, Greinke pitched 7.0 innings). That was just absolute chest bumping stupidity and basically enticed Arizona to respond by plunking him. Stupid move by Mattingly in taunting Gibby and sure enough, the D'backs just took the bait in a nearly equally stupid move.


Still, this could have been prevented earlier... WHEN THE BENCHES CLEAR, EJECT SOMEONE.

BTW: Good to see Mark McGwire, Matt Williams, Don Mattingly, Kirk Gibson, all reliving their glory days in the fight. Last ejections from the 1990s and early 2000s, wow.

Lindsay said...

From the UEFL twitter account Tuesday afternoon: "Happy Birthday to #MLB crew chief Brian Gorman, who will serve as first base umpire tonight at Dodger Stadium vs Diamondbacks."


And then...

Lindsay said...

Big Mac on a roid rage!

Lindsay said...

If you have Clint Fagan as an ump, congrats, you just won this years UEFL ;)

Lindsay said...

I hope Don Mattingly gets heavily fined and suspended for this. It's bad enough for the players to get into it, but the managers and coaches are supposed to be out there trying to separate the players and help cool things down, and he's out there acting like a clown, tossing Alan Trammell down like they were at a WWE wrestling event or something. Disgraceful conduct.

Lindsay said...

Whoever was fighting Turner Ward over the railing and then was tackled by Montero should have been ejected. But its hard for the umpires to see everything that goes on during an incident like this. Solid job by Fagan, Gonzalez, Vanover, and Gorman.

Lindsay said...

I believe that was JP Howell who was going at it with Turner Ward.

Lindsay said...

According to the box score Ronald Belisario was not ejected? In my opinion the D-backs are the D-bags in this. Dodgers threw at the body, D-backs threw at the head both times. I think Gibson should be the one with the longest suspension. I don't get paid 7 figures to make those decision's though. All in all this was all very entertaining. Where is the video for the HBP in the 5 inning that Vin Scully was talking about?

Lindsay said...

Well done to Greinke to not get involved in the whole thing, especially as it was him getting hit which led to the second brawl. 5 HBP, 2 Brawls, and only 3 players tossed? Does that make sense to anyone?

Lindsay said...

I would have whacked Greinke after the first HBP. Reaction said it all.

Lindsay said...

It could have, and should have, been prevented even earlier. The problem as it stands right now is that the umpires have to look at the entire group and pick who to eject. One simple thing could prevent 99% of bench-clearing incidents.

MLB adds a rule to the rulebook: "No player may at any time leave their position or the dugout to participate in a fight in any way. Violation of this rule results in an immediate ejection of the offender." Problem solved. Now umpires don't have to pick and choose, and bench-clearing incidents stop because it means an automatic ejection and suspension of most of your team.

Alternate solution: Professional baseball players stop acting like little children.



Second alternate solution: Treat baseball players like regular people and have them arrested for assault when they assault someone.


Third alternate solution: Fine teams heavily for failing to control their personnel.


Fourth alternate solution: Suspend players more than two games for fighting.

Lindsay said...

Don't know for sure, but I think this is the conversation that happened during the game.


Greinke: Daddy, Ian's touching me!
Kennedy: You started it.
Greinke: No I didn't!
Kennedy: Stop touching me!
Greinke: You stop!
Kennedy: Only if you stop first!
Greinke: No, YOU stop first!
Kennedy: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Greinke: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Mattingly: Did you tell your son to poke my son?
Gibson: No.
Mattingly: I think you did. Let's get 'em!
McGwire: I am very angry about this sporting event!
Bullpens: Let's go get in a fight, hurt our arms, and end our careers!
Montero: I'm playing football now WHEEEEE!
Police Officer #1: Look. A massive brawl on the field
Police Officer #2: Who cares?
Fagan: ...these guys are a pack of idiots.
Gorman: Tell me about it.
MLB: What? A bench-clearing brawl? Let's ask them very nicely to not do it again. That will surely work!
Smart People: But that hasn't worked yet-
MLB: Lalalalalalala can't hear you lalalalalalalala.

Lindsay said...

This was insane. There's not much umpires can do in this situation other than mete out punishment. They did a good job, though I think more people could have been ejected.



That is why I find it amusing when people get vexed when an umpire warns benches after the first HBP. It helps circumvent this, in most cases.



WTF is it with players hating on Greinke?

Lindsay said...

I wasn't aware a solution was needed. Let's be real clear about the problem here. The bench clearing incident was not a problem. An intentional bean-ball drifting up to the head was a problem. None of your solutions address the problem.

Lindsay said...

My solutions address the problem posed in the comment I was replying to, which is the bench-clearing incident and the need to prevent it. I was in no way suggesting that intentional hit-by-pitches are not a contributing factor, I was merely suggesting solutions tailored to the situation currently being discussed. If you wish to discuss ways of preventing intentionally hit batters, that is fine. But please do not stumble into the conversation and accuse me of not addressing the problem you believe is the priority when I am intentionally addressing one very specific problem as prompted by another user.

Lindsay said...

Leaguers rejoice, Fagan was not selected during this year's draft.

Lindsay said...

You are probably not to far off on what was actually said!

Lindsay said...

Except I think Police officer #2 said something more along the lines of " Awesome thanks for telling me, now I can watch it too."

Lindsay said...

And the MLB people said something more like "Just give me my paycheck so I can go home."

Lindsay said...

I advocate all of these solutions combined, not just as alternates...along with much harsher penalties for intentional HBP. It is professional baseball and they need to act like professionals. If any one of us went to work and started a fight with other co-workers we would be fired and arrested...these guys just get a day or so off of work (while still being paid most likely) and a fine that amounts to the change they find in their couch cushion.

Lindsay said...

I think once MLB sees the video, they will definitely suspend JP Howell for punching Turner Ward and almost pushing him over the wall. I am sure there is a reason that Ward got tossed. But Howell is not ejected then thats just wrong. There is no reason to go after a coach like that. Its absolutely ridiculous. They should suspend him for six game minimum.

Lindsay said...

What is the logic for crediting those last 4 ejections to Clint Fagan. I am sure it was Brian Gorman who ultimately decided who got ejected.

Lindsay said...

With regards to the 4 strikes perhaps Fagan was making a case for a 5th umpire just to keep track of balls and strikes. That way he could be one of the 15 hired.

Lindsay said...

Box score always credits fighting ejections to the umpire in chief (home plate umpire), its part of UIC's duties

Lindsay said...

Love it. A fistful of Matt Williams in one hand and Gibby in the other. Real hockey fight too, jersey grab and everything. Guess those decade old rivalries never die.

Lindsay said...

Were you waiting for the steel chairs to come out? lol

Lindsay said...

Well for anyone who thought last week was slow, this made up for it in spades.

Lindsay said...

This excerpt comes from an ESPN article - reading it makes me a little mad:
==================================================
Mattingly said they should have taken it up with home-plate umpire
Clint Fagan for not throwing Greinke out of the game after the first
errant pitch.

"If you're mad at the umpire, throw at the umpire," Mattingly said.
==================================================
Joke or not, that's not even remotely funny regardless of the context.

Lindsay said...

It's time for baseball to adopt the NHL rules. If the batter and pitcher want to fight, let them go. I doubt too many pitchers will throw a bean ball w/o any help coming from teammates. If you leave the bench auto 10 games.

Lindsay said...

So many professional sports lack the basic sportsmanship rules that exist in their lower-level equivalents. We expect children to act like adults and adults to act like children.

Lindsay said...

Earlier in the game Fagan screwed up the count. Kennedy threw 4 strikes to strikeout Puig. The crew gathered and apparently no one knew the count.

Lindsay said...

I was probably too snarky. My point was simply that I don't perceive bench clearing incidents to be a problem. They are simply part of baseball. There's a code of conduct, and so long as people stay within that code of conduct (no kicking people in the head with spikes) it's not a problem.

Lindsay said...

How is acting like a pack of little children with no semblance of self-control part of baseball?

Lindsay said...

Do MLB umpires not carry counters or something? I don't understand how all four of them could have it wrong.

Lindsay said...

I think the thought was that the first pitch was a ball and not a foul ball (i.e. it didn't go off the bat)...so it wasn't as if they lost track of the count, they just got it wrong.

Lindsay said...

I believe the plate umpire and one of the third base and second base umpires carries an indicator.

Lindsay said...

BAPA,
no, base umpires do not carry an indicator.... Some plate umpires do not use one, however oddly the ones that don't usually never confuse the count.

Lindsay said...

CB Bucknor just NAILED a call at the dish in Oakland...Girardi came out to question it but CB was in perfect position and got it right- the ball was in the catcher's hand, not glove when the tag was made.

Lindsay said...

The teams have been penalized for the brawl; they're sending them to a penal colony.

Lindsay said...

I was looking through some box scores and I saw Jim Wright the pitching coach for the Rockies and Wilton Lopez got ejected. Not sure what is was about.

Lindsay said...

ok i just found out it was about a balk

Lindsay said...

good call. The yankees broadcasters praised CB for that call

Lindsay said...

Also pitching Coach Jim Wright was ejected I was at the game and thought that both balk calls were wrong but we'll have to wait for Gil to put together the report

Lindsay said...

the first one was clearly balk and the second one was close

Lindsay said...

Was it i haven't seen the replays yet but like I said live at the game they didn't look like balks

Lindsay said...

No. Not now, not ever ever ever in a million years in the big leagues.

Lindsay said...

In hockey there is fighting, in baseball there is bench clearing brawls. What is wrong with that?


Answer:
Nothing


You are being overtly conservative.

Lindsay said...

Well that's your opinion. Mine is that so-called "adults" need to be able to control themselves.

Lindsay said...

Ian Kennedy suspended ten games and fined. Eric Hinske suspended five games and fined. J.P. Howell, Skip Schumaker, and Mark McGwire suspended two games and fined. Ronald Belisario, Don Mattingly, and Kirk Gibson suspended one game and fined. Zack Greinke, Yasiel Puig, Miguel Montero, and Gerardo Parra were fined. The Dodgers organization was fined for allowing players on the DL (Josh Beckett and Chris Capuano) to leave the dugout.

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