So Bryce Harper got ejected from Sunday's game against the Pirates by third base umpire John Hirschbeck after spiking his helmet following a first inning K. Nats won without him. There's the video above. It looked like Hirschbeck was looking for a fight; but here's his explanation to reporters after the game:
"I didn’t like that he put his hands up with the bat. That’s kind of what I yelled at him. He continued and threw his bat. I kind of pointed like, ‘That’s equipment.’ And then, he still continued and slammed his helmet down. That’s when I ejected him. ...I was actually just being nice. Even the hands up in the air is showing me up, to me. I could have ejected him right then. I was nice enough to leave him in the game. And then he slammed his bat down. And then on top of that, he slammed his helmet. I had no other recourse, really."
(John Hirschbeck, via Washington Post, 5/6/2013)
(Screencap via MASN/MLB.com)
We were behind the Nats dugout, and the crowd didn't even realize that Bryce was gone until the Shark was already in LF. Ump was clearly looking for a fight on a lousy call.
Posted by: Matt | May 06, 2013 at 08:41 AM
@John Hirchbeck...I am a Cardinal's fan so I have no dog in the hunt, but you are not "part of the game." You are an accessory to the game. Throwing him out for showing you up for your bad call is childish and dumb. Your explanation of the events is even worse. Make your calls and continue to stay obscure. We pay to watch the players, not you injecting yourself into the game for whatever reason you can come up with. Horrible display on your part. Your reaction makes you appear small.
Posted by: Eric O'Neal | May 06, 2013 at 12:30 PM
was at the game and Harper clearly deserved to get the heave. Players need to be held accountable for their actions.He showed no respect for the umpire.
Posted by: Mark Horner | May 06, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Did I blink or should the homeplate umpire called it strike 3 before all this poo started.
Posted by: Blind Mouse | May 06, 2013 at 04:19 PM
Hirschbeck is like the little guy who was never good enough to make the team so he became an umpire. So if he ever gets a chance, his dream is to eject a player or players thereby showing that he is important too! What a jerk! I can't believe he's still around. Why can't mlb get rid of these guys that think they are the reason people come to see the game. Guys like Harper are making baseball exciting and fun not the umpires. Good grief!
Posted by: donproud234 | May 06, 2013 at 09:47 PM
Not Harpers biggest fan but this was totally unwarranted. Matt you put it best. And of course he was pissed for getting called out. Just an ump flexing his muscles.
Posted by: Robby Rob | May 06, 2013 at 10:26 PM
Umpirers need to held accountable has well as the players but they never are. Just look when they are behind the plate, how often they are wrong on calling balls and strikes and they are getting worse instead of better. Talk about players egos; Umpires egos need to also e helled in check. Like someone just said No one comes to the games to see umpires.
Posted by: David P. Zafke | May 07, 2013 at 07:30 PM