Aaron Boone, the manager of the New York Yankees, has been thrown out of MLB games 35 times since taking the helm in 2018. His recent ejection during Monday’s game against the Oakland Athletics was particularly noteworthy.
Just five pitches into the game, home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt warned Boone after a disagreement over a hit-by-pitch call. Boone was told he would be ejected if he said another word. Moments later, Boone was ejected when Wendelstedt heard a shout, which appeared to come from a fan, not Boone himself.
Boone expressed his frustration after the game, calling the situation embarrassing and not good. He explained that he was more upset about the appeal than directly addressing Wendelstedt.
The dispute arose when Oakland’s Esteury Ruiz was hit by a pitch, and Wendelstedt ruled it a hit-by-pitch after consulting with another umpire. Boone disputed the call, but Wendelstedt stood firm, stating he had followed the protocol. The cameras caught a fan yelling at the umpire, prompting Wendelstedt to eject Boone, despite Boone’s protests that he hadn’t said anything.
Boone vehemently denied making any comment and pleaded his case to Wendelstedt, who was unwavering in his decision to eject him.
Wendelstedt later acknowledged that Boone likely wasn’t the one who made the comment but maintained his decision to eject him because he’s responsible for what happens in the dugout.
This was Boone’s second ejection of the season, with the first one occurring in a game against the Miami Marlins earlier in the month.