Chicago Cubs Andre Dawson Ejected by Joe West

In a 6-4 victory over the Reds, Andre Dawson was ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning for arguing a called third strike by umpire Joe West. After Jim Essian was also ejected for arguing, Dawson proceeded to throw seventeen bats from the bat racks onto the field from the dugout. Dawson was fined $1,000 and suspended for one game

[@lovesupreme6154]

Dawson wrote about this in his book... On July 23, 1991, during a game against the Reds at Wrigley Field, I had a run-in with home-plate umpire Joe West that led to an uncharacteristic tantrum on my part. The whole thing started in the seventh inning after West rang me up on a Norm Charlton breaking pitch I thought was clearly off the plate. It's common for players and umps to exchange a few words in these situations, so I gave Joe a piece of my mind while standing at home plate. I was about to head back to the dugout when he yelled, "Go sit down!" and tossed me from the game. I turned around and noticed he had a big smirk on his face. That set me off. I didn't see anything funny about the situation. I took a couple steps toward Joe and inadvertently bumped his chest. That was a definite no-no in player-umpire relations, and I knew I'd be hearing from the league office for the indiscretion. As I walked back to the dugout, I saw West was still smirking. I thought to myself, "Okay, if I'm getting kicked out and fined anyway, I'm going to get my money's worth." I went back to the dugout and started tossing bats onto the field. I noticed West counting the number of bats I threw, so I decided to see how high he could count. In the end, there were 15 pieces of lumber on the field. While I was heaving bats, (Jim) Essian was out on the field throwing a fit of his own. ...A few days later, the league office fined me $1,000 and handed me a one-game suspension for "nearly inciting a riot." Maybe worst of all, I got scolded by my mom, who called me after the incident to ask, "What the hell's your problem?!" My problem was that West had blown the call. On the memo line of the check to National League President Bill White I wrote, "Donation to the blind."

[@wyliestivers2634]

Donation to the blind!!! I love it!!!

[@kerrytodd3753]

Awesome story….I know the smirk he’s talking about, west was the best at the “smirk”…..arrogant fuk

[@michaelfalkner1186]

Should've been a month -- especially because the league made note of the incitement of a riot.

[@edwinearl4584]

I didn’t see anything wrong with the call. Angel Hernandez.

[@rpm773]

Dawson was so great. With the exception of '89, the Cubs were terrible while he was there, but it was great to have him out there.

[@Geotubest]

Steve Stone....one of the greatest baseball minds around. Love him and Caray together.

[@udrinkit]

Ditto

[@GratefulInRecovery]

How did he (Steve Stone) go from 25-7 and a 1980 Cy Young Award with my Orioles to Cubs announcer? Anyone have any knowledge? I loved his windup, and emulated it as a kid.

[@JDubs997]

​@GratefulInRecovery My best guess was that he spent 6 years in Chicago with the Cubs and Sox (3 years with each) before playing with the O's and came back after he retired. One of the all-time best analysts in baseball history.

[@Steve15604]

Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, a man of few words who let his bat or bats do his talking! I miss the good old days of Cubs baseball on WGN with Steve and Harry!

[@J.C...]

Yep. And Atlanta on TBS.

[@swedishchefhands9037]

Harry Caray was just the best. Always describing the scene with the excitement of a kid who was seeing it for the first time.

[@leogetz3570]

Andre Dawson has said the worse thing about that incident was that he got scolded by his mom!!

[@300deebo]

Dawson was one of the most composed players in the game. If you pissed him off, you definitely did something wrong.

[@Matttaylor016]

What I've noticed lately watching these old baseball clips, the camera work is top notch. Unbelievable job. Well done.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

I agree. You don't need Google Statcast and all that other crap to tell a story. These camera crews did a hell of a job of doing so in the 1980s and 1990s on sheer skill and talent alone. Same thing with announcers. You could absolutely hate baseball, but by the time you're done watching a Cubs game called by Harry Caray, you'll absolutely love the game.

[@truthillinois6397]

I remember this game. Shortly afterwards, Dawson was fined $500. In the memo part of the check he wrote, “Donation for the blind.”

[@JosephJohnson-kg5yr]

$500 was nothing in 1991! Maybe to me now 😂

[@bobbyshizz2138]

Joe West... Blowing calls since 1976

[@1who4me]

Bobbyshizz, blowing dudes since 2020

[@r.a.contrerasma8578]

If Eric Gregg and Joe West had a kid his name would be Angel Hernández.

[@BigJ76937]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Mr.Derogatory316]

Are you sure it wasn't a Wally Bell?

[@chrishickey7502]

😂 😂 😂

[@OBESPRING1982]

And Doug Harvey was his gramps.

[@toddhursey8766]

Looked like stttttiirke 3

[@ryand.5857]

I was at this game when I was a kid. This was a magical night. My fam was on vacation in Chicago and we had tickets to this game. Little did I know my dad had called his friend, a scout for the Cubbies, and set up a few introductions for me. I met and shook hands with Mark Grace, Luis Salazar, and Ced Landrum before the game, and then they let me walk out onto the field. Standing on that grass was a religious experience, my friends, and I’ve been a diehard Cubs fan ever since. I very well remember the atmosphere around the stadium, and EVERYONE was on the Hawk’s side, even some of the Reds fans who were sitting close to us. Joe West was such a douche. It was super cool seeing the ground crew conquer the bleacher bum litter onslaught though haha! Those guys were like machines!

[@stevenfostering4895]

Oh, the irony, George Bell is attempting to restrain Andre Dawson.

[@wrldchamps04]

Exactly my thoughts

[@stumarston6812]

ha ha I was thinking the same thing. Not good when George Bell is the reasonable one.

[@joeysbestfriend2614]

Back when Joe West only had 3 chins

[@mysoundrights]

LOL!

[@johnschmitt6564]

That is very good

[@charlierobles316]

Haha

[@bearpayton34]

I’m really cracking up here!!! Thanks

[@juanelorriaga2840]

That belt he’s wearing is working so hard to keep that fat in

[@Foggen1231]

Joe West was incompetent twenty years ago, and incompetent today. How does he keep his job! Are umpires untouchable. Not only that he 'as a regular in World Series. How!!!!

[@classic-kool]

The MLUU.. (union)..

[@kornami8678]

Union members.

[@adamwesley2985]

20 years? Try 30

[@ScottieMacF]

He may have made the wrong call here, but it wasn't that egregious. Plus he knew he was wrong and gave Dawkins a lot of rope when arguing.

[@10dfreed]

Because it’s rigged

[@cubsgo23]

Andre was a man’s man. A pro’s pro. Dude was legit. And, when he hit a HR at Wrigley Field, he hit it over a tru-link fence.

[@ollyhollins4319]

El Niperoo 23 wow you actually remember that commercial...Hes the reason I picked up a bat...Ahhh I miss when WGN and baseball was all I had to worry about

[@VioletDeliriums]

HAHAHAHAH!

[@jimijakjones99]

Dawson hit home runs down the street lol

[@mikeb8638]

I remember watching WGN on cable while here in Houston I forget what year it was but the game where Andre Dawson was making nothing but homers and they switched the Cubs score card on t.v. was Andre Dawson vs the other team , I was like Hell Yea , Go Cubs !!!!

[@unclejune2839]

Mans man? He was a baby

[@JohnMegaton2062]

I watched this live. One of the craziest games of all time that also included that idiotic Dibble play. It was a bad call, West had been bad all night, and Dawson finally had enough. A bad zone literally takes the bats out of hitters hands when they’re already at a disadvantage, and doing that sucks for the game. Joe West could have calmed the situation down but could never help running his big yap to escalate. West loved to play the villain. Dawson obliged that night.

[@mikefleck7659]

Harry Carry and Bob Ucker are legends in baseball.

[@terminat1]

Uecker.

[@ultimtdisc]

Joe West and Eric Gregg on the same crew? Oh. My. god.

[@tokenblack7983]

Seriously. What’s crazy is I take Joe in a heartbeat over Eric Greg. The Marlins braves game still haunts me

[@seancohen81]

Wait till Angel gets there....

[@jesusshuttlesworth8972]

@@tokenblack7983 Livan with that enormous strike zone? I remember watching that game and to this day I've never seen a bigger strike zone than I saw that day. I don't remember if the Braves were getting the same but usually Gregg is fair

[@terminat1]

God.

[@martinluthierking]

what a damn physical specimen the Hawk was..the sound of Stone and Caray voices takes me back so hard

[@jimijakjones99]

I still can't believe the Cubs fired Steve Stone because he said La troy Hawkins shouldn't be the closer . Cubs lost Farnsworth , Sosa , Stone all because of Dusty Baker . I never was the same die hard cubbie fan again .

[@galan01225]

Bro..... I was in my time warp when I came across your comment. Your absolutely right 👍.

[@galan01225]

truth2masses truthatlast no Steve Stone?

[@larrysnipes7113]

Yeah Harry Carry was the man. I still think about Will Farrell's impersonation of him cracks me up. Dawson straight 'went on one's right there.

[@bevrosity]

still miss stone on the north side broadcasts

[@mikeallison9749]

Joe West is a buffoon. My grandfather used to tell the story of Joe West throwing an organ player out of the game for playing 3 blind mice after a bad call when West was in the southern league

[@ultimtdisc]

He kicked a camera man out of a game for showing the Mets coaching staff a call West had, surprise, surprise, blown.

[@bobknob5819]

Mike Allison great story

[@Abr022575]

An umpire can eject the organist?

[@kenhurley4441]

@@Abr022575 Probably,,,,, 3 blind mice and off key!

[@BTsMusicChannel]

@@Abr022575 Just go with it...It's a great story.

[@jacobjones5269]

I’m a Cub fan, and a Bud man!.. Harry Caray..

[@andyreid7274]

Legend. Was banging Auggie Busch's wife and got run out of St Louis.

[@redwingfan9393]

30 years later Joe West is still screwing up games.

[@FUYT888]

Sad thing is, he'll get a pension! For being a screwup!

[@christophermaiolo1669]

Why doesnt he drop dead already

[@kevinkarg4464]

Every freakin' umpire in the major leagues is screwin' up games!

[@KylerPeltier]

​@@kevinkarg4464refs mess up calls in every sport and people always wanna say shits rigged but they're only human any 1 of us would mess up calls to

[@mrsain19]

Eric Gregg aka Carl Winslow. He moonlit as a major league ump during night games in Chicago lol. West reached all the way back to flying the Hawk from the game. That batting stance is forever epic.

[@TheGuitologist]

The Hawk was all class. A credit to the game of baseball. I remember watching this game on TV.

[@danielhayes7967]

The Hawk was hosed on that call.

[@captainkev10]

Ball was outside, sure, but there has to be more to the story to warrant this sort of reaction from Hawk. Any more info on this game/exchange?

[@Mr.Derogatory316]

Harry Carry is the real classy person

[@YaowBucketHEAD]

lol. I forgot Dawson's nickname and immediately thought you were praising Hawk Harrelson for some reason. 🤮

[@frankwhite1895]

Hawk picked up all those bats like he was picking up wiffle ball bats

[@larsonmarkov1699]

Dawson in his prime was very lean and strong

[@mikemccourt6225]

I just like hearing Harry Caray trying to pronounce the word “desist.”

[@mr.christopher79]

lol

[@BTsMusicChannel]

I know!! HAHA! While watching this vid, I went to my kitchen to get some coffee and was imitating him while getting it, and chuckling to myself (as I love to do since I was in high school)..."If the fanzzszssz don't de-CISZZSZSZt...:" I miss him. He was so much fun. I saw his glasses in the hall of fame a while back -- made me smile.

[@buckeyeschmave]

Hearing Harry pronounce that, "inception" and "forfeit" in a short span is peak Harry.

[@Joseph88keyz]

I'm from the Detroit area..but I loved watching Cubs baseball on WGN just to hear Harry.

[@fivebooks8498]

I was watching this game live. I was in summer school at the time and doing homework in the living room with the game on. I think it was summer of 91 or 92. I’ve talked about this incident for years. Can’t believe I found this video. This is the first time I’ve seen it since I watched it live.

[@jmhis34]

I can't imagine what the suspension would look like these days!

[@jeffspence6610]

Immediate ejection if a payer argues any pitch call.

[@carloswilson671]

Nowdays we over react and this leads to too many rules and penalties. All of these people were being affected by the July heat. I'd have hated to be in those stands and get sticky from the beer and the pop or worse hit in the head by a flying beer container. Dibble was Dibble. He threw a ball at a runner and could have hurt the runner.

[@GrikWorldNomad]

"The pitch that West has been calling a strike all night long." Doesn't matter how long he's been calling it, still a ball.

[@jonlate4581]

Harry Carey could've launched a few empty Bud cans...

[@carlosmatos9848]

Sure sounded like it.

[@subg8858]

He was a Falstaff man with the Sox. What a sell out!

[@MrPhilrock1]

Solid gold

[@philmontejano5971]

A few six packs

[@yell0wberry]

I heard some of those cans of beer thrown on the field didn’t exactly have beer in them as they were being picked up

[@TheRmm1976]

I watched this live and it was epic! EVERYONE loved Andre Dawson, in or outside of Chicago. Watching him go nuts on Joe West and seeing the fans support him with their reaction was priceless! The bats were just icing on the cake. That look and eyes of Dawson in the dugout epitomized why he was called THE HAWK!

[@autodidact2499]

+TheRmm1076 You mean he was the HAWKSHIT, don't you?

[@samclosetech]

@@autodidact2499 Go lay by your dish.

[@jeremyc9593]

@@autodidact2499 In that case, his nickname was similar to yours. You guys could start a buddy cop movie, The Hawkshit and The Dipshit.

[@richieh6465]

harry and steve!! wow miss those days immensely

[@shawnandrew3592]

I miss watching these games everyday with harry calling them. Great memories.

[@barcelonaguayaquil9213]

Miss these days...baseball is not same anymore... grew up in Queens,N.Y.. Let's go Mets...⚾️⚾️⚾️

[@SANATKUMARAA]

fuck the mets!!

[@allanrscott]

It was the July 23, 1991 game and the final score was actual 8-5 with the Cubs winning.

[@wewin03]

I've met Dawson a couple times hes a pretty easy going dude. I wonder what West did to set him off like that

[@scottholder4776]

Nothing. Dawson was an idiot here.

[@mrsain19]

Call a questionable strike and fling him from the game after he had enough of being cursed out about it lol

[@JuanDiaz-mv1lg]

West is known for pushing a lot of buttons with his snobbish attitude

[@nickajk1]

@@scottholder4776 you're competitive you get fired up Scott

[@nickajk1]

@@scottholder4776 if you had to play ball with an umpire that was a moron like Joe West at some point you go off to

[@rydawg26]

Dawson paid his fine with a check that said “Donation for the Blind” 😂

[@dalethelander3781]

Imagine if it had been Angel Hernandez.

[@robleto228]

dawson was a bum

[@bradynutzman4488]

​@@robleto228And so was Ozzie.

[@larchmontmark1]

Craziest part: When Caray starts saying the scores of other games.

[@LinkRocks]

Haha his director might have told him to do that to fill time.

[@thebigcheese606]

I was 12 yrs old and this was the first cubs game my grandmother took me to. I thought it was a great first cubs game to attend!!!!

[@Jleed989]

Ernest Ele she must have been shocked at the language that was flying around

[@mrvlsmrv]

​@@Jleed989it's worse at White Sox games.

[@w.p8960]

West was the sorriest excuse for an umpire. At least he screwed over all teams.

[@thehammah8444]

William Calhoun joe west is still making bad calls

[@subg8858]

That was a strike though

[@Jleed989]

subg88 it was

[@firepower782]

Was? He still is!

[@frankwhite1895]

Bob Davidson was the worst back in those days. And still was until he retired a couple years back

[@danejurus69]

10:38 Good to see Uncle Joey from Full House using his voice talents to foray into baseball.

[@chriswoodsports]

Really?? Was that based on the hair style??

[@conchfritters01]

All time favorite Cub. Love you Hawk!!!

[@thereisnothingleft9339]

This was so awesome sitting at home watching this game and listening to Harry Carey!

[@jeremyc9593]

I love it. I used to fall asleep listening to Harry on the radio as well when they were on the west coast. Now, about 30 years later, I'm able to do it again thanks to the magic of the internet and KZbin. There are a ton of old, full games on here.

[@bryantsteury8910]

Even back in 1991, Joe West thought everyone came to the park to see him.

[@jasondyrkacz8270]

Bryant Steury People go to games to watch the umps?

[@scottholder4776]

How much rope do you expect an umpire to have with an asshole like Dawson? Legitimately stood there showing him up for over 30 seconds. Then runs at the umpire after he finally gets tossed. Fucking loser.

[@angrytom1923]

Did Dawson say something about your mom? You sure seem to have a hard on over it.

[@VioletDeliriums]

Scott Holder I think you really don't know what you are talking about. The reason why the fans were throwing stuff on the field was exactly because Dawson was never an asshole They saw him upset and wanted to support him. Fans in Montreal loved him, and so did fans in Chicago. I thought he was the one of the most fun players to watch that I ever saw because when he came up to bat, it just always seemed like there could be a home run, and it was always exciting in clutch moments. He signed a baseball for me when I was little and he was playing for the Montreal Expos. I still have it! Thank you Andre Dawson. :D

[@mosesclayclay1805]

Lol

[@johnnylafriegas677]

“Pittsburgh is murdering Atlanta” (7:59) Loved listening to Harry broadcast and I’m a Dodgers fan by the way.

[@jackson5116]

I can't get over just how skinny Joe West was!!

[@nintendonerdsvideos4727]

he looks skinny standing next to eric gregg

[@coylio33ify]

lol, strong.

[@storyofcory]

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if weight contributed to Eric Gregg's death back in '06. He HAD been in a "weight reduction program, and he did lose 60 lbs. at one point, but when you tip the scales at around 400 lbs., 60 lbs. is a mere drop in the bucket, no disrespect intended.

[@BassmanII]

It's exactly what killed John McSherry in 1996 at the Reds-Expos opener in Cincinnati.

[@rayjr62]

And Lee Weyer in 1988 at the age of 51. He was found dead in his hotel room from a massive heart attack in San Francisco.

[@peteandrepete528]

Dawson was my favorite player on the Expos.

[@jacobrichardson1952]

As an old soul person for '91, this ejection is hilarious when Andre doesn't like that strike call you know shit is gonna happen especially the bat throwing out the dugout like a married wife 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ledhed5717]

Given Joe West’s typical reactions and ejections I think that he actually had more restraint this time around.

[@thezdbailey]

Andre Dawson was my first hero as a kid. I remember watching this game live and I couldn't understand how Dawson could get so upset. I've hated Joe West ever since I must admit.

[@autodidact2499]

+Zach V ... you mean you hate the people who maintain order in the game of baseball? What do you do for kicks, steal hubcaps?

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Haha....Andre making me laugh. I lived in Chicago during his run there. Great ballplayer and nice guy, which is why this is so funny.

[@Mark-sj3xb]

It seems like whenever there is a controversy involving the Cubs, the Reds are always the opponent.

[@davemiller1161]

You mean the Lou Pinella base-throwing incident? Went extra innings, with Aramis with the walk off HR? Another wild game. 11-10 or 12-11? Something like that?

[@bethbartlett5692]

*Remember the Day!* Called my son in cause I knew they'd replay it. A major Cubs Men event. Dawson was Awesome, Maddux pitched that day and Sandberg was in his Prime Form. *I LOVE my Cubs!* *GO CUBS - GO!!!!!!!!!*

[@subg8858]

Love hearing Harry slur words like desist.

[@jimklipper6022]

Joe West is still screwing up in 2019

[@jctransportllc.4879]

Joe was thinner and suckier back in the day, now in day he's gained alot of weight but still sucks!!

[@alanhess9306]

He was right on this call.

[@alanhess9306]

@four eleven forty-four Watch it at the 4:44 mark. The pitch was not low, it was well above the knee and it was right on the outside edge. Apparently you, Harry and Steve don't have a clue when it comes to the dimensions of the strike zone. It is comical that you believe everything the announcers say since they are biased for the home team and have demonstrated very little knowledge about the rules to the game including the definition of the strike zone. Dawson was a great player but he was acting like a spoiled little bitch here.

[@larrysproul9424]

Seems like he will be around forever. Some things never change do they ?

[@Abr022575]

He's still around???

[@StormFive]

I know it isn't the classiest thing ever but I LOVE how the crowd rises up and roars support for Andre Dawson when he throws the bats out. Right or wrong those are some loyal fans and they showed some love for the hawk!

[@daveduncan4106]

The Cubs and the Reds always used to fight during this era

[@leogetz3570]

And sometimes for no reason. I remember the foul pole homerun incident with Ron Cey. The umpires had a big discussion on whether it was a foul ball or a homerun, which caused a huge delay after the Cubs argued the original call being over ruled, and then for some unknown reason the players for both teams had a brawl in the infield. Good times!!

[@eltravo2112]

If they’re keeping track of number of bats thrown at once and also multiple bats thrown for distance records, Andre shattered both of them!

[@scratchking3205]

Imagine George Bell being the peacekeeper😂😂

[@douglassepic9030]

You have to admit that Joe West was very tolerant of Dawson arguing with him for 45 seconds and pointing to where the pitch was -- without getting tossed.

[@jumpstreet1197]

What in the world took the manager so long to go out and protect his player?

[@JuanDiaz-mv1lg]

He maybe thought Andre should first say his piece and get it out of his system

[@rolfbernerske2786]

Thought the same thing

[@davidscanlon1244]

Angelo Russo this guy took over for Don Zimmer who was fired earlier that year. We all said Zimmer would have been out right away.

[@robertnolen4094]

Couldn't agree more. Crap move by the manager

[@cablanchette1]

Been a cubs fan since about 1980..I was 6... Grandma was from Chicago and she got me hooked...I remember this on TV live

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

10:29 -- Most controversial thing is that guy's shirt.

[@iamkazie9401]

That was Dan roan from when sports

[@gregzaniewski3996]

Lol

[@TomSmith-dt4tj]

LMAO

[@1975longshot]

My eyes are in shock now Like the sweaters of the host of amazing discoveries .

[@navymusician822]

RIP Eric Gregg-too bad we can’t trade Joe West in and get Big Eric back

[@lucasbritton1566]

I really want t know what west said to Dawson. He let him talk for so long just because of how respected he was among umpires and players alike

[@raccoon874]

*replay comes at **4:42**, I think that means something about the era, I love it*

[@Nevets1073]

I remember watching this game on WGN. That strike call was not the only obviously bad call made that game. There was a pattern of bad calls by West if I recall, and this one was probably the most egregious call of the game.

[@paulschneller4898]

And all these years later, it is still low and outside, just like in 91. Go Cubs!!!

[@savvasstavrou5167]

I think West Actually gave him plenty of rope to have his say. He's has a much quicker trigger now that's for sure

[@LinkRocks]

Yeah he did. Nowadays if you look at him wrong he tosses you.

[@bhollingsworth]

Joe West was one of the worst umpires we've ever seen.

[@bradmiller9121]

Steve Stone "It was right at the ankles." while the view from side clearly shows the pitch crossing above Dawson's front knee. Funny thing is if Andre had swung it might well have ended up on Sheffield Ave.

[@larchmontmark1]

Yeah -- on 2nd look, it wasn't low. But it sure was outside enough

[@bradmiller9121]

@@larchmontmark1 When I attended Umpire School John McSherry taught is that there was nothing wrong with calling a ball in inch or two outside a strike. Think about it, if a batter were to swing at it that is exactly where the fat part of the bat would be.

[@cincity076]

Carey even says West been calling that a strike all night. So in that regard, Dawson overreacted. Who knows what West may have said though that pissed Dawson off even more. Great clip...thx for the memory!

[@justafanintexas7913]

Joe West, once again, under the impression that the fans are there to see him and him, alone. Never met a game he couldn't make a meal of.

[@CRAZYWILDMAN49]

im a sox fan, but i miss harray. he was a good man. i miss these days. love you andre, you are a HALL OF FAMER!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mikemcc2008]

Who else came here after PMT?

[@kevinjohnson-lf3kj]

Seen this one 100 times..Never gets old.

[@TampaJohn]

The pitch was probably a ball, but it wasn't an egregious call that deserved a response like that from Andre. Plus as Harry noted, West has been calling that pitch all night long. So if that's the case, it's up to the hitter to adjust. Also it's great to hear Harry again. What a legend.

[@flyingdutchman913]

Oh shut up you're not even a real fan then. Probably played bench sitter on your little league team as far as you got. Andre Dawson never got mad and you know if a player could throw out an Umpire Joe West probably said some horseshit thing to him that he could get away with that fat ass.

[@ultimtdisc]

Yeah, the players need to alter their performance and start swinging at balls because the umpire is incompetent.

[@hbk314]

@@ultimtdisc If it missed, it was maybe a little low. It appeared to have the corner. Borderline pitch that a hitter shouldn't be taking with two strikes.

[@ultimtdisc]

@@hbk314 Was it in the strike zone or not? No, it wasn't. Umpires are supposed to enforce the rules, not make them up.

[@hbk314]

@@ultimtdisc Don't take borderline pitches with two strikes. It's called protecting the plate. Regardless, there was no reason for the player or fans to react the way that they did.

[@trustysteeringwheeltray7392]

I'm no Cubs fan at all (as you can see by my propic), but I love how all the fans cheered every time Dawson threw the bats onto the field

[@Jleed989]

Big Boy I remember Harry doing the Sox games

[@michaelglindmyer3336]

Announcer: that ball was well below the knee , let’s see....” replay shows it had knees, Announcer: *crickets*

[@gretzkysyotes]

Harry is shit faced.....

[@amercedes1892]

Michael Glindmyer pretty 😁

[@mrjasonwhite73]

@@gretzkysyotes Brilliant deduction, Holmes

[@alanhess9306]

@Bob Spence exaggerate much? That pitch was over the plate. Good strike call by West.

[@danw1951]

Joe West lives for this stuff. Well, that and a second helping of manicotti.

[@mhlaw229]

Dawson was all class. Nothing would set him off other than BS like this. The pitch was clearly off the plate as well as low

[@alanhess9306]

That was a strike.

[@ricobullock4690]

@@alanhess9306 below his knees and outside the frame made it LOOK like a strike

[@alanhess9306]

@@ricobullock4690 You do know the strike zone extends below the knees, don't you? If it missed outside, it missed by no more than an inch. It wasn't a horrible pitch. With two strikes you need to protect the plate.

[@Rushyesgenesis]

OMG this was the same game as the Dibble throw!?!?!

[@simplygu]

Is WGN reporter Dan Roan getting ready to go to Hawaii? LOL

[@matthewvaclavik1639]

simplygu I think he stole that shirt from Dave Coulier.

[@shakey2634]

If you've done something to set off Andre Dawson, you need to take your medicine. Joe West was one of the worst to ever call a game.

[@JillC2]

Dawson was just having a tantrum. Dibble, on the other hand, is a bull goose loony.

[@johnmoore4]

JillC2 But he was a hoot as color announcer for the Nationals.

[@steve-ti5rz]

Dawson had a good beef,the pitch was definitely outside but not low

[@ronlamore6211]

Joe West has always been the worst of the worst. EVERYONE in any job would have been fired many many years ago. MLB clearly does not care about the quality of their employees.

[@ultimtdisc]

No, he's not the worst of the worst, that award goes to one of the guys on that very crew, Eric Gregg.

[@HariSeldon913]

@@ultimtdisc Gregg probably prompted the bats. Bell and the third base coach had Dawson under control and going out until Gregg stepped in and set him off again.

[@whyicare]

I always like Andre Dawson who is a classy guy. I met him once waiting for an autograph. I had my two young sons with me at the time. I told my sons how Andre Dawson once was credited with an inside the park (glove) home run against the Montreal Expos. In 1989 Andre Dawson hit a sinking line drive which Dave Martinez dove and caught the ball, but his left shoulder hit the carpet. Dave's Martinez's shoulder was separated. He tried to throw the ball back in play but couldn't. It felt off his throwing hand. Meanwhile Andre Dawson circled the bases. The umpires converged and the crew chief signaled a home-run with his index finger circling. Dick Williams, the Expos manager, sprinted out of the dugout probably 100 yards in 8 sec and argued the call. The umpires didn't change the call. Umpires determined that the ball was indeed caught by the outfielder before the ball hit the ground. Because it was less than two outs, the outfielder had to put the ball back in play to record the out. Since the outfielder wasn't able to put the ball back in play, it was not an out. Dick Williams challenged the call and the game would be played under protest. The Expos rallied in the late innings and won the game; thus, the protest filed by Dick Williams became irrelevant. I mentioned to my sons. My oldest son said, Dad, you're lying. I said you could ask Andre if it was true when you meet him soon. Guess what, my son did ask Andre if he hit a ball and was caught but still counted as a home run. Andre looked confused and wasn't sure what my son was asking. So I quickly chimed in. I said, 1989, Cubs against Expos Dave Martinez. Before I even finished my sentence, Andre already knew what I was about to say. So Andre said, well let's just say, he didn't catch the ball. I fired back, I said Dave Martinez caught your line drive before it hit the ground. By now, Andre was a bit agitated and said well he didn't get the ball back in play. I said ok, Andre, your're right. My son asked Andre if he ever played with Sammy (Sosa). I said yes, he did play with Sammy for one season and Andre was a team player. He came to Chicago Cubs as a free agent and Cubs management really gave Andre a bad deal by signing him for one season for half a mil. At the end of the brief encounter I wished Andre a happy 50th birthday and wished him luck of inducting into the hall of fame. As I recall, Andre was still in good shape having been retired for ten years or so.

[@ButchRahman]

Dawson waaaay out of line. That wasn't a bad call.

[@ultimtdisc]

Yes, it was.

[@alanhess9306]

@@ultimtdisc You apparently don't know the strike zone.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

I'm a Reds fan, but I always loved watching games called by Harry Caray. The things he said, and the way he said them, other than Doc Emrick on hockey games, I can't think of any announcer in any sport who came close to Harry Caray in terms of making the game appealing and fun to a television audience. The dynamics of the situation and everything that went on was exciting enough as it is. Harry telling the story to a television audience made it that much more exciting.

[@jsommeljay100]

george bell always in da master mixx

[@joshs4594]

Joe West always seems to be in the middle of these situations. I remember in 1985 West tossed Mets manager Davey Johnson before the first pitch. Johnson was in the dugout and he ran out to confront West about it. I read both their lips. Johnson said. “Why I’d you throw me out?!” West smirked (as he always does), shrugged and said, “I don’t know, I just felt like it.” It’s too bad he was such a polarizing figure on the field because off the field he was a really a good guy.

[@jorgejohnson451]

The side view makes it look close. Strike three. Grab some bench.

[@OBESPRING1982]

The side view shows the pitch was not low but it was not a strike. Breaking ball went around the plate.

[@jeremyc9593]

@@OBESPRING1982 A breaking ball that breaks from the middle out can't go around the plate.

[@OBESPRING1982]

@@jeremyc9593 Did you watch the replay? Do you watch baseball? How many outs per inning? How many innings in a game? I seriously have to ask you that considering your ignorant comment that isn't in line with the footage.

[@jeremyc9593]

@@OBESPRING1982 Do you not understand simple physics?

[@OBESPRING1982]

@@jeremyc9593 Do you not understand the path of a breaking ball from a LH pitcher? Tell me, why do certain pitchers scuff the baseball when they think they can get away with it. Enlighten me, oh, PHD! LOL

[@kevinkoch6900]

Joe West's ego always showed up before he did.

[@bullinmd]

Joe West should be BANNED FOR LIFE from ALL LEVELS OF BASEBALL AND UMPIRING!

[@J.C...]

What would Harry think of Wrigley Field today?

[@leogetz3570]

I got to see quite a few games at Wrigley in the 80's before they put lights in. Got to skip school a couple times for it!! I don't know that I could go to Wrigley today to watch a game. But that's just nostalgia for me. The old Wrigley reminds me of my childhood

[@charlessmith263]

Nowadays, new MLB rules enhance the penalties for doing anything aggravatingly unruly after being ejected from the umpire. The 1-game suspension would be enhanced to a 1-2 week suspension. And the fine of $1,000 would be now up to $15,000 for the bat throwing thing Dawson did.

[@herschie91]

About $6,200 in 1991 dollars.

[@autodidact2499]

+Charles Smith Yes, and even those suspensions and fines are inadequate.

[@carloswilson671]

Dibble was no big thing. He was a jerk when he got on the mound. I'd expect Dibble to do something like that. Dibble and two other closers called themselves "the nasty boys". Dibble wore it like a badge.

[@repentandknowjesus8674]

I guarantee no MLB player has ever paid any fine for any reason for doing anything to the umpire. It's all fake.

[@MrBubbau812]

A player of Andre Dawson's status would be making about 15 million a year. A fine of 15k is chump change.

[@chijaytavaakachija1513]

I was never a baseball fan, somehow I became an Andre Dawson fan. My baseball career starts and ends with Andre. Hell he made me like the Marlins. RIP Harry Carry. The drunkest commentator to ever call a game. He made the 7th magical. Dude had a song with Budweiser. Shots out to Steve Stone too for covering for drunk Harry over the years.

[@bones11252]

Joe West and Angel Hernandez biggest jokes in MLB

[@DRIVEIN101]

The "MY SHIT WILL NEVER STINK" duo

[@BrunoJaws]

Joe West and Eric Wright were some of the two worst umpires in history.

[@leogetz3570]

you mean Eric Gregg?