Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ejected before the bottom of the ninth inning as the New York Yankees narrowly fell 5-4 to the Cincinnati Reds in an 11-inning thriller on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a tense moment in the game, igniting controversy over the Jazz Chisholm Jr. ejection controversy and drawing sharp criticism from Yankees announcer Michael Kay.
What Led to the Ejection: Dispute Over a Disputed Strike Call
The conflict began during Chisholm’s at-bat in the top of the ninth inning. With the count at 2-0, Cincinnati’s pitcher Lyon Richardson threw a low pitch that umpire Mark Wegner ruled as a strike. Chisholm struck out on the call but showed visible frustration while returning to the dugout. His agitation continued as Anthony Volpe struck out shortly after, ending the top half of the inning. Despite the game’s intensity, Chisholm persisted in arguing the strike call as he took the field for defense in the bottom of the ninth, which culminated in his ejection by umpire Wegner.
Michael Kay Criticizes Chisholm’s Behavior Following Ejection
Unlike some commentators who might have criticized the umpiring, Michael Kay placed the blame firmly on Chisholm. He stated,
“Jazz Chisholm just got thrown out, and really, he has nobody to blame but himself.”
Kay added,
“I know he didn’t like the call but he has been chirping at Wegner. Aaron Judge, between innings, walked him out to the field to try to calm him down. And he would not stop screaming at Wegner about that 2-0 pitch. And you always tell me, Paul, heat of the moment. But this is far after heat of the moment. He got himself thrown out, but Wegner gave him a lot of leash.”
Context and Analysis from Former Player Paul O’Neil
Former Yankees player and analyst Paul O’Neil provided insight into players’ frustration in such moments, saying,
“But you know, you get so frustrated as a player, you just want to vent. You’re not happy now. Obviously, you’re in a tie game and now you’ve put Aaron Boone in a situation where you need to go to your bench.”
Further Observations on Chisholm’s Conduct and Possible Consequences
Kay continued to describe Chisholm’s demeanor between innings, noting that he continuously said, “It wasn’t even close,” referring to the disputed pitch.
“And he’s right. It wasn’t. But you did have some time to cool off. And he took it out to the field. And he got thrown out…And if he’s gonna keep going, he’s gonna get suspended, too,”
Kay warned, underscoring the potential disciplinary repercussions for Chisholm’s outburst.
Significance and Potential Impact on the Yankees’ Season
The ejection of Jazz Chisholm Jr. during a critical moment cost the Yankees a valuable player in the closing stages of a tight game, forcing manager Aaron Boone to adjust his strategy late into extra innings. The incident has stirred debate over player conduct and umpiring discretion, especially as tensions run high in close contests. With the potential for suspension looming if Chisholm continues to challenge officials aggressively, the Yankees will face questions about managing player discipline moving forward, especially in tight games that demand composure under pressure.