Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie is likely facing a suspension after throwing his helmet in anger and hitting home plate umpire Bill Miller in Toronto Tuesday night.
With a count of three balls and one strike in the bottom of the ninth, Lawrie took back-to-back pitches from Tampa Bay Rays closer Fernando Rodney. Miller called both strikes, sending Lawrie back to the dugout.
Trouble was, when the third strike was called, Lawrie had already taken two steps toward first base, thinking he had drawn a walk. He spun around, took two steps back in the direction of the umpire and threw his batting helmet to the ground. It bounced up and struck Miller.
Lawrie was promptly ejected from the game for the outburst, but is likely to face a further suspension and/or fine because the helmet struck Miller.
I've never, ever, done anything to go at an umpire before in my life, and I didn't mean to tonight. I apologize for that," Lawrie said after the game, according to MLB.com. "It just kind of took an unlucky bounce and I think it got him, so my apologies for that."
The Blue Jays lost to the Rays 4-3. Major League Baseball has made no announcement yet as to how long they'll lose Lawrie's services.
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who cares? The most boring sport in history NOBODY CARES
Yes nobody cares, but still 25000 fans fill the stadium every night... idiot
InvenShun – aparently you care, you not only read the article, but you commented on the story.
I hope that within my lifetime, MLB can replace umpires with computers, or someone with the ability to watch replay and be given the aid of technology to maintain a consistent strike zone. The replay will get every call right, especially on the base paths, or a hit batter, or catch/no catch. Come one Bud, get with the times.
Replace batters with robots and outfielders with mechanical dogs
who cares...grow up and get a life
Replace comedians with an electrified fooling machine.
Maybe we can develop a robot that pitches and throws nothing but strikes. Heck, why have humans play at all. Pick a computer game and let's play that to replace MLB
How about be a good example for kids and don't throw your helmet in the first place?!!
Ants...I REALLY HATE ANTS!!!!!
It's bad enough to throw a tantrum, but to get caught with the "ugly face" is inexcusable!
It should be more like cricket the pitcher is allowed to bean the batter, and it's the batters job to protect the wicket, if the pitcher can hit the wicket the batter is out, pretty simple no called strike, no walks.
Tea and crumpets old chap?
Maybe Brett should layoff the roids, I here they can cause anger issues.
NOT a blue jays fan but man, don't blame the guy. Brutal calls. The ump needs to be suspended as well if he is that bad.
Umps make the call its the hitters job to swing at the pitch the ump thinks is hitable what kid of loser looks for the walk its the ninth you should if the ump is big or small your the pro ain't no computer gonna make the right strike zone it is something that is different for every batter,pitcher, catcher, and ump. Ah you got caught being a slouch oh whaaaa get mad. And if you don't like baseball why you reading about it seems like you got the time to waste kid
This is a case of 2 wrongs certainly not making it right. No excuse for Lawrie losing it to that extent. You have to keep your cool better than that. Having said that, those were awful calls and the umpire should be taken to task for that as well. The called third strike looked like it could have been made because the ump felt like Lawrie showed him up on the previous call.
Gotta agree with you there, Red. That's an ugly mug!
anyone here remember Jimmy Piersol's antics? Climbing up the backstops and so forth? Makes this guy look like a wienie.
The umpire is flipping blind!!!
The very least MLB could do is require umps to watch replays on highly questionable calls. Anyone who truly loves baseball would not balk (ha) at the extra minutes this might add to the game. It's to the point of being not only unfair but anyone watching on television can see when the outcome of a game called properly would have been different.
The MLb admitted the umpire made a mistake.... but will he be suspended? Of course not....
MLB, why would/should the umpire be suspended?