New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for the second time this week after arguing with the umpiring crew during their weekend series win against the Cincinnati Reds.
Boone, 50, was returning to face the Reds for the first time as manager of the Yankees after spending six-and-a-half seasons there as a player. The incident prompting his ejection occurred at the bottom of the first inning as New York outfielder Jake Bauers fumbled a catch while sliding toward the right-field line.
After making contact with the ball but not holding onto it, a ball foul was called by first base umpire Nestor Ceja. That was despite the rookie making contact in fair territory while the ball was in play.
The Reds challenged the on-field ruling, leading to the umpires overturning the initial decision after consulting replays. It meant home infielder Jonathan India was allowed to score and put Cincinnati into an early 1-0 lead after controversially crossing the plate during the incident.
That was what incensed Boone, rather than overturning the ball foul. The Yankees manager confronted crew chief Brian O’Nora to air his frustrations, gesticulating while making his point.
After continuing to argue the replay decision, which he is not allowed to do, Boone received his marching orders. That was only the beginning of the confrontation, though, as being tossed only angered him more, and O'Nora and Boone then squared up while aggressively shouting in each other's faces.
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It is the 29th ejection of Boone's four-year managerial career and the second in six days. Against the Toronto Blue Jays last Monday, the manager received number 28 after arguing balls and strikes during a controversial Aaron Judge at-bat.
Despite Boone's premature exit, the Yankees won that first game of the series in Canada at Rogers Centre, and that was also the case on Sunday. New York rallied from their early deficit to win 4-1, completing a clean sweep of the three-game series.
The team is now 8-2 in their last ten games and surging up the American League East standings. They are now third, five-and-a-half games back of the Tampa Bay Rays after game number 49 of their season.
Boone's ejection also sees him move up to joint-first in the leaderboard of most tosses this season. Ironically, the Reds' David Bell, who the umpires threw out of the same game later on, is the only major league manager to match his total of three.
The Yankees skipper had as many as nine ejections last season, four more than anyone else. He has 18 in total across the previous three seasons, six more than Bell's 12, who sits in second place.
It should be no surprise, though, as Boone was no stranger to being thrown out of a game during his on-field career. He exited early during his MLB debut after being called out sliding into home for the Reds.
