Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie slams helmet into umpire

[Deberg_1990]

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.

[Buck]

Good. **** the umpires. They suck.

In all fairness, I don't know if this certain ump has a good rep, but the majority of them stink and they have not been as transparent as they are supposed to be.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

I've said this for a long time, but officials in major sports (NFL, MLB, NBA & NCAA Football / Basketball) should have to face the media after games and answer questions.

I realize the notion is that these guys are held accountable by their leagues for questionable calls via internal reviews. However, if officials were held responsible in a public forum for questionable / bad / calls or calls made on emotion - I think you'd see a reduction in incidents like this.

That could certainly be argued though. If these refs knew that after making a very difficult decision in a 100mph game, that they would have to go in front of a bunch of heartless reporters and try to explain things, then that might start to cause additional hesitation and doubt on their already high pressure jobs.

[PGM]

I agree with the lose the umpires crowd. That way we won't have 90's Braves bullshit and crap like Livan Hernandez getting pitches a foot off the plate as strikes in a damn playoff game.

[Johnny Vegas]

as classless as that fan was throwing a beer on the ump it was well justified. I say bring the tomatoes and lettuce and pelt them for the bad calls.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

That could certainly be argued though. If these refs knew that after making a very difficult decision in a 100mph game, that they would have to go in front of a bunch of heartless reporters and try to explain things, then that might start to cause additional hesitation and doubt on their already high pressure jobs.

Yes - that's the potential downside of it.

I think I just have a pet peeve when officials try to make themselves more a part of the game than they should. The immediate repercussion of having to face the media would curtail that in some cases.

Also - I've been a sports fan my whole life, and believe 95% of officials are incompetent morons and should be publically humiliated

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/5/16/30...sion-blue-jays

The pitches in freeze frame:

Ball, strike

He should of swung after the previous call.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/5/16/30...sion-blue-jays

The pitches in freeze frame:

2 looks a lot worse then 3.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Strike 3 looks a little high but if the catcher setup there and he hits the glove you will get that call most of the time.

[Dr. Facebook Fever]

Originally Posted by frazod

I think it's ridiculous that umpires still call balls and strikes. We have the technology to absolutely determine whether the pitch was a ball or strike, and see it after nearly every pitch on the screen.

And the purists can blow me.

I completely agree.

[Gadzooks]

Lawrie's a hot head. Damn roid rage.

[MIAdragon]

Enjoy your time off Kid you earned it. O and BTW good luck at the dish when you return, better get the wood off your shoulder at ANYTHING close to the zone.

[frazod]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

Lawrie's a hot head. Damn roid rage.

Meh. I'm not on roids, and I would have hit the one who sucks the penis with the bat.

[petegz28]

Two was bad but I'd ring him up all day on #3

[morphius]

Originally Posted by frazod

I think it's ridiculous that umpires still call balls and strikes. We have the technology to absolutely determine whether the pitch was a ball or strike, and see it after nearly every pitch on the screen.

And the purists can blow me.

That is where I am. No reason to have an ump call the strikes/balls.

To the ref, who cares if a player shows you up, you are not supposed to be a part of the game. Your job is to be correct.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by frazod

I think it's ridiculous that umpires still call balls and strikes. We have the technology to absolutely determine whether the pitch was a ball or strike, and see it after nearly every pitch on the screen.

And the purists can blow me.

That would ruin half the fun of going to a game.