Umpire Gets a Grand Slam

Dad --

In talking about yesterday's final game against the Twins, you forgot to mention the most surprising thing that happened. The home plate umpire, Todd Tichenor, ejected four players in one inning.

Now I know ejections aren't that uncommon these days, especially with the amount of brawls that happen in a season. But what is uncommon is seeing the exact same members of both teams get thrown out within the same inning.

It all started in the top of the 7th when Twins catcher, Mike Redmond, argued a close call at home that gave the Red Sox their third, final, and winning run. Redmond believed he'd tagged Bailey before Bailey touched home. Tichenor disagreed, and after a minute or two of arguing, threw out Redmond. Then when Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, came out to argue the ejection, he also was thrown out of the game. Okay so two ejections for a minor disagreement isn't that unusual.

But then in the bottom of the 7th inning there were two more ejections. This time it was over arguing balls and strikes, which you're evidently not allowed to do anymore. On a 2-2 pitch, Beckett threw a ball that both he and Varitek believed to be a strike. Unfortunately Tichenor again disagreed. Beckett was visibly pissed, but Varitek was the one to turn on Tichenor and argue the call, mainly so Beckett wouldn't get in trouble. Unfortunately Varitek did, and was thrown out of the game. Then Francona came out to argue Tichenor's third ejection and the Sox manager made it four of a kind.

In all my years watching America's Oldest Past Time, I've never seen the same members of both teams get ejected for arguing calls or protecting their players. It's absolutely absurd how touchy the umps are these days. I'm happy we didn't lose Beckett, but throwing out Redmond, Gardenhire, Varitek and Francona just for arguing a couple calls is insane. And while it may make for a good show, it doesn't make for good baseball.

Dad, I know you agree.

Jenn