The Los Angeles Dodgers were understandably frustrated after Saturday night’s loss to the Cardinals. It was a game they had a legitimate chance of tying in the ninth inning, but a blown strikeout call from home plate umpire Paul Emmel abruptly ended the potential rally.
Those frustrations boiled over to Sunday, and Max Muncy apparently wanted any excuse to have words with Emmel. He had himself a short day at the ballpark as a result.
Batting in the fourth inning with the Dodgers already down two runs, home plate umpire Nic Lentz called a ball on a pitch that appeared to catch the bottom of the zone before eventually ringing Muncy up on a similar pitch. While both pitches should have been strikes, a frustrated Muncy was not pleased about the inconsistency in the at-bat.
Max Muncy was ejected from the game after some words with the 3rd base umpire pic.twitter.com/LoBLE3pFSa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 21, 2023
As he walked back to the dugout, he made eye contact with Emmel — who was working third base on Sunday — and pointed his bat at Emmel and back at home as if to complain about Saturday night’s missed call.
Here's what got Max Muncy ejected. Appeared to say something to Paul Emmel at third base walking back to the dugout pic.twitter.com/oJ3Jq4bwRw
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) May 21, 2023
And before Muncy could really get his point across, Emmel had ejected the Dodgers slugger from the game. After he was tossed, Muncy went towards Emmel to continue complaining about the calls. Of course, Muncy — who went into Sunday batting 1 for 10 this series — could have been taking out his own frustrations on the umpires.
But either way, you know Muncy is going to be thrilled to get out of St. Louis and away from that umpiring crew.
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This was how Twitter reacted
This a ridiculous ejection…are you kidding me. https://t.co/eR4rXnpoo6
— Joseph Brown (@AdamShafterr) May 21, 2023
#Dodgers are clearly not over last night's 9th inning. After Max Muncy is called out on strikes by HP ump Nic Lentz, Muncy gripes and is ejected by 3B ump Paul Emmel — last night's HP ump. Dave Roberts gets in Emmel's face to vent.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 21, 2023
I can see why he’s upset two pitches essentially he same called differently https://t.co/eHi6MHc48Z
— Phillip Johnson (@Phillip_027) May 21, 2023
Mad Max is pissed!! I’d be too 😤 https://t.co/t8EHgfFFqh
— Melissa (@dlunasol) May 21, 2023
Seems like Paul Emmel was inciting max from this angle. @MLBUA will he face repercussions? If he was inciting and fueling the situation it’s clear he is incapable of the responsibility. This should have a formal review. https://t.co/4KNrDM5pIA
— Brendan Williamson Baseball (@BWBaseball_) May 21, 2023
Muncy letting Emmel know the team and fans are still mad about last night, BUT this is not a time to get ejected Muncy 😭 https://t.co/gQ5gg5MrN8
— Christina (@chrissyt00) May 21, 2023
