MLB Ejection 040 - Andy Fletcher (1; John Schneider)

[Lindsay]

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (check swing ball [HBP] call by 3B Umpire Paul Clemons) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Phillies-#BlueJays game. With one out and two on, Phillies batter Kyle Schwarber attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 pitch from Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos, ruled a ball and hit-by-pitch by HP Umpire Fletcher and affirmed as no swing by 3B Umpire Clemons. Schneider was ejected following Bryce Harper's grand slam and during Toronto's subsequent pitching change. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 8-0. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 10-1.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 40th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 18th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 18 Managers, 6 Coaches, 16 Players.

This is Toronto's 4th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 4; BOS, TB 1; BAL 0).

This is John Schneider's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 17 (Ryan Wills; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Andy Fletcher's 1st ejection since July 23, 2023 (Yuli Gurriel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Philadelphia Phillies, 5/7/24 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Schneider ejected during pitching change, confronts Clemons after leaving mound

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[Jimurray]

Eff you is kind of mundane. Although I grew up with the NY alphabet I need more words to take offence. He was already ejected properly. Needs some coaching on how "to get his money's worth"

[SeeingEyeDog]

Notice the triple digits on the call-up at U3...Schneider knew it, too. When have we ever seen a coach or player just stand there and repeatedly say, "Eff you!" over and over...

Hey @MadMax (or anyone else in the know...), help me with my math here...there are 76 full-time guys leaving 24 two-digit jersey numbers not being used. (I don't know if there are umpire's numbers that have been retired...) We typically don't see 24 call ups in a season, do we? Even so, they could share numbers until they are full-time thereby allowing everyone to wear two-digits.

Why do they continue to assign triple digits to the call-ups thus branding them for all the world to see? Is that just part of the process getting to full-time?

~Dawg

[Velho]

Good point @SeeingEyeDog. And, some of the call ups have 2 digits that are lower than full time umps.

For reference in case anyone is interested

https://www.closecallsports.com/p/mlb-umpire-roster.html#google_vignette

[MadMax]

Of the 24 “available” numbers, there are 3 that need to be noted: 

• #42, retired throughout MLB
• #22, Joe West, likely to be retired or never re-issued
• #69, for the obvious sophomoric issue; Tom Hanahan was issued it in 2023 as a prank/joke/haze from his CC, but it likely will (or should) not be issued again

So that leaves 21 numbers. 

In the past, newly-promoted umpires would be issued numbers in the 70-99 range. Then, as guys retired, they’d “grab down” and take numbers that freed up lower down the roster. However, that fell out of practice as those in the 70+ range started to keep their numbers despite being hired to full-time (think: Will Little). 

Callups were given “whatever available” for their brief splash in the Show (I know of this; I received one of those panel-style shirts from that time). 

Then the panic-demic hit. 🙄 

Tenured umpires were given the option of participating or opting out and going on “sabbatical”. More than a few opted out, retaining their employment (and their numbers). With the Minor Leagues shuttered, a substantial cadre of guys were available, and formed a pool from which to make crews for the (resumed) MLB season. The question was, what numbers to give them? Thus, the triple digit was born. 

Following 2020, the triple digit numbers are used exclusively by the callup umpires, who swing between AAA and the Show. This way, they can resume working with their AAA crew, and if called up, they can join a Big League U-crew at any locale, at a moment’s notice, and they have their gear and uniforms – and triple-digit number – already with them. 

MLB Managers and Coaches know exactly who’s tenured and who’s callup – a third digit on the sleeve ain’t going to make them any more or less frenzied. 

[Velho]

10 minutes ago, MadMax said:

#69, for the obvious sophomoric issue; Tom Hanahan was issued it in 2023 as a prank/joke/haze from his CC, but it likely will (or should) not be issued again

How I wish LL would do the same (some leagues let players choose their own numbers regular season and/or All Stars)