George Springer‘s night came to an early end on Tuesday.
The Blue Jays outfielder was ejected in the top of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels for arguing a hit-by-pitch call with home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez.
Springer felt that he got hit in the foot on a low pitch by Angels pitcher Kenny Rosenberg. Gonzalez ruled the play a no-hit-by-pitch, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider decided to challenge the call.
After video review, the call was not overturned, much to Springer’s dismay.
Springer had a few choice words for Gonzalez after the review but appeared to be walking away from the umpire when he was ejected.
That’s when Springer really lost his cool.
After he was thrown out, Springer got up close and personal with Gonzalez and screamed in his face. He had to be restrained by both Schneider and Vladimir Guerreo Jr. before eventually making his way to the dugout and into the clubhouse.
Springer was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored before exiting the contest. He is the ninth Blue Jays player to be ejected from a game this season.
Asked post-game if Springer’s frustration was about getting ejected while walking away from the umpire or about the call, manager John Schneider said it was “probably a little bit of both.”
“George isn’t going to look into the dugout and say he got hit if he didn’t get hit,” said Schneider. “It was pretty clear from our view that he did. … There’s no need to throw George out there, you know, he was kind of walking away and gathering himself. That was kind of why I think he reacted the way he did.”
According to Springer, his reaction was not the result of anything the umpire said to him.
“He didn’t say anything. I mean, I know the rule, he knows the rule, I was just kind of in shock at the call,” Springer explained to reporters. “… If you argue the call in that situation it’s an automatic ejection. I get it, I know the rules and here we are.
“… He just explained to me what happened. He said it’s not on him and I get it. At that point it goes to New York and they made the call. I was walking away to go put my stuff back on and get back in the box and I get ejected.”
Springer later added, “I’ve got to be better. There’s kids in the stands… I can’t get that angry. I don’t want my sons to see me get that mad. So, I’ve got to be better, but it happens and it is what it is.”