Jon Rauch Ejected From Jays/Phillies Game in Epic Fashion

Let me set the scenario for this one. Top of the 9th. Philadelphia Phillies at-bat up 4-3. Jon Rauch comes on to pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays. Chase Utley was on 1st with 2 outs when Ryan Howard came to the plate. With a 2-2 count Jon Rauch threw two pitches that could have been called strikes to draw a walk. The next batter, Shane Victorino, single in Utley to give the Phillies a 5-3 lead and then Rauch went ape-shit on the ump about the 2 pitches he called balls which would have ended the inning without that run. Keep in mind Jon Rauch is 6'11" and weighs 251.

It was like trying to hold back The Hulk and Superman combined. When his manager, John Farrell, came out to restrain him and ripped his jersey off it instantly became my favorite part of the 2011 first half. What is it with July and tantrums? MLB should scrap the home run derby next week and instead have a 12 round bout between Jon Rauch and Brian Wilson. I'd take Rauch in a 3rd round knockout.

The last two pitches looked good but luckily for us there's a website called Brooks Baseball that tracks every single pitch in baseball and shows it's exact location. Ball 3 (pitch #5) was close but the ump was calling that a strike all game. Ball 4 (pitch #6) well, even this kid knew it was a strike. I'm going to hell but I love technology so hopefully they have that there!

Video: Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland Ejected

The Detroit Tigers were playing the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night when the Tigers' Andy Dirks bunted. 1B umpire Ed Rapuano hesitated then said the first baseman came off the bag but then the home plate ump came out and likely said, "Sir, you're an idiot. He was clearly out". Rapuano then reversed the call and Tigers manager Jim Leyland immediately came out to argue.

Is Ed Rapuano the worst umpire in major league baseball? See, that's a hard question. That's harder than making this call. There are so many bad umps that it would almost be an accomplishment to be called the worst ump in MLB. Dirks was clearly out. This wasn't even as close as the Armando Galarraga play. I know what you're thinking, "Helen Keller could have made that call!". Well it's time for your history lesson of the day. Do you know what other blind/sight impaired people could have also made that call? Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Claude Monet, Galileo Galilei, John Milton, Andrea Bocelli, FDR, Harriet Tubman and Louis Braille. You're welcome.

Let's continue with the real sports - And then the ump panics and just goes with a "foot came off the base" call? Infantile. Bush league. Rapuano was probably thinking about the 'Gossip Girl' marathon he had DVR-ing tonight and how awesome it would be instead of watching this play. At least make up your mind and stick with the call. Thankfully the home play ump saw what happened.

I'm getting away from the point I wanted to make though. Jim Leyland is a badass. The man is 66-years-old and went on a tirade that would make MTV, VH1 or Bravo proud. It was the 7th - Leyland probably ran out of Marlboro Menthol Lights, saw the score was tied, thought about how the game might go into extras and decided that he needed to get out of there any way possible. It's just math.

Milton Bradley Got Ejected Tonight

Seattle Mariners left fielder Milton Bradley was ejected tonight for arguing a third strike call in the 8th inning of a 2-2 game with the Chicago White Sox. This was the second time he was ejected this week but that's not the great part about this story. The great part about this story is that this picture was taken when Mariners manager Eric Wedge came out to argue/try to hold back Milton Bradley.


I really wish I could embed the ejection video for you but MLB takes the same route as my grandparents when it comes to new media - if the technology was introduced after 1980 then they want nothing to do with it/will avoid it at all costs. Here's the link to the video for now.