MLB Ejection 151 - John Tumpane (5; Matt Thaiss)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Angels game. With two out and two on, Thaiss took a 2-2 changeup from Yankees pitcher Nick Ramirez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.73, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 2.21 horizontal and 3.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 151st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 63rd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 70 Managers, 63 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 6th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX 6; HOU 3).

This is Matt Thaiss' first career MLB ejection.

This is John Tumpane's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 8 (Craig Counsell; QOC = N [Balk]).

Wrap: New York Yankees of New York vs Los Angeles Angels of California, 7/17/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 150 - Emil Jimenez (4; Ryan Noda)

HP Umpire Emil Jimenez ejected A's 1B Ryan Noda (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #RedSox-#Athletics game. With none out and none on, Noda took a 0-1 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta for a called second strike before striking out swinging. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.51, pz 2.54), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 6-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-0.

This is Emil Jimenez (82)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 4.85 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 150th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 62nd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 70 Managers, 62 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 6th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA, TEX 6; LAA 5; HOU 3).

This is Ryan Noda's first career MLB ejection.

This is Emil Jimenez's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 21 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Quick Pitch]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Oakland Athletics, 7/17/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 149 - Edwin Jimenez (1; David Bell)

HP Umpire Edwin Jimenez ejected Reds manager David Bell (strike three call to Spencer Steer; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #Brewers-#Reds game. With none out and one on, Steer took a 0-2 sinker from Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px 0.80, pz 2.51), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Edwin Jimenez (75)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 1.37 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 149th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 70th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 70 Managers, 61 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 6th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL 7; CHC, CIN, STL 6; PIT 5).

This is David Bell's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 6 (Carlos Torres; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Edwin Jimenez's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds, 7/16/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 148 - Dan Bellino (3; Bob Melvin)

1B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Padres manager Bob Melvin (pitch clock violation on Padres batter Rougned Odor by HP Umpire Brock Ballou; QOCY) in the top of the 12th inning of the #Padres-#Phillies game. With none out and none on, after swinging and missing at a first-pitch splitter from Phillies pitcher Jeff Hoffman for strike one, Odor failed to return to be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark of the pitch timer, resulting in a pitch clock violation and automatic strike. Replays indicate Odor was not in the box and alert at eight seconds; it does not matter whether or not pitcher Hoffman was on the rubber or not (catcher JT Realmuto was properly in the catcher's box by nine-seconds, as required), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 6-6. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

This is the 148th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 69th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 69 Managers, 61 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is San Diego's 8th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (SD 8; ARI 7; COL 4; LAD 3; SF 2).

This is Bob Melvin's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 28 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Dan Bellino's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 14 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7/16/23 | Video as follows:

Dan Bellino Orders Alek Jacob's Pocket Towel Removed

After Padres pitcher Alek Jacob placed a towel in his back pocket during his MLB debut, umpire crew chief Dan Bellino ordered it removed. In doing so, Bellino enforced baseball's foreign object/substance rule through preventative officiating.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7), which MLB has been cracking down on since instituting inspections several years ago, pertains to pitching prohibitions and states, "The Pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance." Reading on, we see this rule applies to both substances and objects that are "foreign"—not part of approved equipment or uniform apparel.

By ordering the towel removed—even though it appeared Jacob was simply using the towel to wipe his hands due to high humidity in Philadelphia—Bellino sought to prevent a future issue wherein the towel may have been used as a vehicle to transport foreign substances. Jacob had been wiping his hand on the towel after each of his first two pitches and in order to prevent a future issue, the towel was simply removed from play.

In order for the towel to be allowed, either a rules change or memo from the league office would have to be on the books. As it stands today, the towel is considered a foreign substance and thus not allowed.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 147 - Nic Lentz (5; David Popkins)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Twins hitting coach David Popkins (strike three call to Joey Gallo; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Twins-#Athletics game. With none out and none on, Twins batter Gallo took a 3-2 changeup from A's pitcher Lucas Erceg for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.28, pz 1.60 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the 

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.80 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 147th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 18th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 68 Managers, 61 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is Minnesota's 9th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 9; CWS 8; DET, KC 3; CLE 0).

This is David Popkins' first career MLB ejection.

This is Nic Lentz's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 28 (Steven Wilson; QOC = Y-c [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics, 7/14/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 146 - Marvin Hudson (5; Jason Foley)

HP Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Tigers pitcher Jason Foley (balls/strikes) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Tigers-#Mariners game. With one out and one on, Mariners batter Teoscar Hernandez took a 1-2 sinker from Foley for a called second ball before striking out on a foul tip. After the inning, Foley was ejected arguing while leaving the mound for the dugout. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.32, pz 1.66 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.52 / MOE 1.60), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 5-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.72 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 146th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season. 

This is the 61st player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 68 Managers, 61 Players, 17 Coaches.

This is Detroit's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 8; DET, KC 3; CLE 0).

This is Jason Foley's first career MLB ejection.

This is Marvin Hudson's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since the 5th inning (Ty France; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs Seattle Mariners, 7/14/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 145 - Marvin Hudson (4; Ty France)

HP Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Mariners 1B Ty France (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Tigers-#Mariners game. With two out and the bases loaded, France took a 2-2 sinker from Tigers pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.90, pz 1.89 [sz_bot 1.44]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 3-2. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.18 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 145th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 60th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 68 Managers, 60 Players, 17 Coaches.

This is Seattle's 6th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (SEA, TEX 6; LAA, OAK 5; HOU 3).

This is Ty France's 1st ejection since August 27, 2022 (Lance Barrett; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Marvin Hudson's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 1 (Jeff Banister; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs Seattle Mariners, 7/14/23 | Video as follows:

June 2023 Top 5 Calls of the Month

For June 2023, tmac has selected a Top 5 calls showcasing five MLB umpires whose efficient use of mechanics, positioning, and patience enables them to correctly officiate some difficult plays.

We also pause to remember Northwoods League Umpire Conor McKenzie, who passed away last weekend while en route to officiate a Northwoods League game in Madison.

Top 5 Calls of the Month - June 2023

5. Ben May's plate at the plate in Milwaukee.

4. Jeff Nelson's catcher's interference call in Milwaukee, a day later.

3. Andy Fletcher's legal plate blocking at home in San Francisco.

2. Chris Segal's swim move of a runner in Arlington.

1. Todd Tichenor's dancing out of the way of a foul ball in Kansas City.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 144 - Alex MacKay (1; David Ross)

HP Umpire Alex MacKay ejected Cubs manager David Ross (ball two call to Giancarlo Stanton; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Cubs-#Yankees game. With none out and one on, Yankees batter Giancarlo Stanton took a 1-0 sinker from Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.78, pz 1.57 [sz_bot 1.74 / RAD 1.62]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Alex MacKay (105)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.60 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 144th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 68th manager ejection of 2023. Ejections: 68 Managers, 59 Players, 17 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 6th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL 7; CHC, STL 6; CIN, PIT 5).

This is David Ross' 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 4 (Erich Bacchus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alex MacKay's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs New York Yankees, 7/9/23 | Video as follows: