Royals Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie slams helmet into umpire

Deberg_1990 · 05-16-2012, 07:10 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ays/54983610/1

Brett Lawrie called it an "unlucky bounce." Major League Baseball is likely to call it an offense worthy of a suspension.

A furious Lawrie slammed his batting helmet to the ground after he took a third strike, and it struck plate umpire Bill Miller in the hip as the ninth inning turned nasty Tuesday night in the Toronto Blue Jays' 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

"That was not my intention at all," Lawrie said. "I've never, ever done anything to go at an umpire before in my life, and I didn't mean to tonight. I apologize for that.

BOX SCORE: Rays 4, Blue Jays 3
VIDEO: Brett Lawrie's epic tantrum
"It's just my passion for the game. I wanted to help my teammates out as best I could. That's the pride I have in this game. I leave my emotions out on the field."

Miller later was hit by a drink thrown by a fan while walking off the field after the game.

The trouble began with one out in the ninth and Lawrie trying to work a walk against Rays closer Fernando Rodney. On a 3-1 pitch, Lawrie started toward first base but was stopped short as Miller called strike two. Rodney stared in at Lawrie, and Miller helped settle the tension.

On a full-count pitch that he thought was ball four, Lawrie again headed toward first base. When Miller called strike three, Lawrie crouched in disbelief. Lawrie dropped his bat, gestured at Miller and shouted, and was ejected.

Lawrie then started toward Miller, wound up with his right arm and threw down his helmet. It bounced at the umpire's feet and ricocheted up into him.

"Upon seeing that he was ejected, he took several steps toward me and fired his helmet. It hit me in the right hip," Miller said.

"That's a bit extreme," Miller said.

Miller said he already has filed his report with MLB about the incident.

Lawrie said he felt Miller made "kind of a late call" on strike three.

Toronto manager John Farrell came out to restrain his 22-year-old third baseman, who's in his first full season in the majors. After Lawrie returned to the dugout, Farrell was ejected for arguing the call.

"The bat was taken completely out of Brett's hands, not only the 3-1 pitch but the 3-2 pitch as well," Farrell said. "Those are not strikes."

Miller was hit by a drink as he left the field. Police and stadium security were seen pointing into the crowd after that incident, and Miller shouted something at the fan before exiting.

05-16-2012, 07:10 AM	Topic Starter
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3894454	Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie slams helmet into umpire http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ays/54983610/1 Brett Lawrie called it an "unlucky bounce." Major League Baseball is likely to call it an offense worthy of a suspension. A furious Lawrie slammed his batting helmet to the ground after he took a third strike, and it struck plate umpire Bill Miller in the hip as the ninth inning turned nasty Tuesday night in the Toronto Blue Jays' 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. "That was not my intention at all," Lawrie said. "I've never, ever done anything to go at an umpire before in my life, and I didn't mean to tonight. I apologize for that. BOX SCORE: Rays 4, Blue Jays 3 VIDEO: Brett Lawrie's epic tantrum "It's just my passion for the game. I wanted to help my teammates out as best I could. That's the pride I have in this game. I leave my emotions out on the field." Miller later was hit by a drink thrown by a fan while walking off the field after the game. The trouble began with one out in the ninth and Lawrie trying to work a walk against Rays closer Fernando Rodney. On a 3-1 pitch, Lawrie started toward first base but was stopped short as Miller called strike two. Rodney stared in at Lawrie, and Miller helped settle the tension. On a full-count pitch that he thought was ball four, Lawrie again headed toward first base. When Miller called strike three, Lawrie crouched in disbelief. Lawrie dropped his bat, gestured at Miller and shouted, and was ejected. Lawrie then started toward Miller, wound up with his right arm and threw down his helmet. It bounced at the umpire's feet and ricocheted up into him. "Upon seeing that he was ejected, he took several steps toward me and fired his helmet. It hit me in the right hip," Miller said. "That's a bit extreme," Miller said. Miller said he already has filed his report with MLB about the incident. Lawrie said he felt Miller made "kind of a late call" on strike three. Toronto manager John Farrell came out to restrain his 22-year-old third baseman, who's in his first full season in the majors. After Lawrie returned to the dugout, Farrell was ejected for arguing the call. "The bat was taken completely out of Brett's hands, not only the 3-1 pitch but the 3-2 pitch as well," Farrell said. "Those are not strikes." Miller was hit by a drink as he left the field. Police and stadium security were seen pointing into the crowd after that incident, and Miller shouted something at the fan before exiting.
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