Why was Max Muncy ejected? Dodgers star still aggrieved by Saturday's questionable umpiring call
The recent altercation between Max Muncy and the umpires during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals added to the growing list of instances where players have been ejected for protesting calls. In this particular game, the Los Angeles Dodgers were on the wrong end of a 10-5 scoreline against the Cardinals, further fueling Muncy's frustration.
During the top of the fourth inning, with one out, Max Muncy stepped up to the plate. On a 1-2 count, a pitch from Jack Flaherty was called a ball, appearing to graze the edge of the strike zone on television screens. The very next pitch, which seemed to be at a similar height, was also called a ball by home plate umpire Nic Lentz, much to Muncy's dismay.
As Muncy made his way back to the dugout, he continued to express his dissatisfaction. He pointed his bat towards third base umpire Paul Emmel and then directed his frustration back towards home plate. Muncy didn't hold back his words, specifically blaming Emmel for a questionable strike three call with two outs in the ninth inning of the previous day's game, which cost the Dodgers a chance to tie the game.
Unfortunately for Muncy, his actions led to an immediate ejection from the game. This decision further fueled his anger, prompting him to approach Emmel and demand an explanation. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joined in the protests, expressing his displeasure towards Emmel as well. Dodgers fans were also dissatisfied with the call made against their player.
@MLBONFOX Umps are so soft nowadays
This a ridiculous ejection…are you kidding me. twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…
Last chance to let Paul Emmel know he's absolute trash. Nicely done, Max. #LADvsSTL @Dodgers twitter.com/MLBONFOX/statu…
DODGERHATER PAUL EMMEL AGAIN! FUCK PAUL EMMEL #fraud twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…
Muncy was absolutely robbed today!!! twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…
FREE MUNCY, FUCK THE UMPS twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…
Muncy said “put you in his spot” to the ump at third. twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…
Some MLB fans also called out Muncy for showing no respect to the umps.
No respect for the game. What a thug. Attitudes like this do not belong in the game and this type of rage is definitely a result of roids. Such a bad role model, smdh twitter.com/MLBONFOX/statu…
what a thug twitter.com/MLBONFOX/statu…
Max Muncy voices his frustration at the umpires after the game
In the post game interview, Max Muncy talked about the frustration in the Dodgers dugout that had led to the moment as they were unhappy with the calls made against them.
“I think it was kind of a weekend-long frustration building up. For me, it wasn’t about the call. … To me, it was how the calls were happening. The pitch before was almost the exact same location. Whether it was a ball or a strike, I don’t care. He called it how he saw it. He called it a ball and for the catcher to sit there and tell him that’s a terrible call and he missed it and needs to be better and then the next one he gives it to him", Max Muncy said.
LA ended up losing three out of the games on the road to St. Louis, however, still lead the NL West.