Ejection 080 - Tim Timmons Ejects Joe Girardi After Foreign Substance Dispute with Max Scherzer

HP Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Phillies manager Joe Girardi after he exited the dugout to yell at Nats pitcher Max Scherzer after an unsuccessful illegal substance search. Report: www.closecallsports.com/2021/...
Girardi first requested umpires inspect Max Scherzer for prohibited substances in the bottom of the 4th inning. Because of MLB's new-for-June 2021 foreign substance inspection policy, umpires had already checked Scherzer twice to that point in the game. Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez checked Scherzer once more in the wake of Girardi's request, and ultimately did not find anything illegal.
An inning later, after a strikeout to end the bottom of the 5th, Scherzer walked off the mound to Washington's dugout while silently staring in the direction of Philadelphia's dugout. In response, Girardi exited the Phillies' dugout and began yelling at Scherzer, effectively challenging him to fight or incite some other incident, resulting in Timmons' ejection of Girardi for unsportsmanlike conduct.

[@Grsz11]

Hilarious that Girardi tried to bait Max and then Max turned around and baited him into an ejection. 😂

[@aviationfascination]

Ya that was funny. Although it was Kevin Long that Girardi was getting into it with

[@Tdull-tv1ds]

Yeah and then Joe tried to defend his actions leading up to the ejection but his defense was utter crap. I’m not buying him or the World Series rings he has on his fingers from his time as manager of the Yankees. I feel that because he did that three times to one of the best pitchers in baseball and they found nothing on him MLB should at least penalize managers that try to pause the game because of “illegal substances”. Fines or suspensions would be enough depending on how bad the situation was.

[@aviationfascination]

@@Tdull-tv1ds he only has a ring, not rings.

[@lukasgarage956]

Hook, line, sinker.

[@brdigma6790]

There’s no way they can make Baseball take longer and more boring right? MLB:

[@epicgamer29yt7]

i lowkey find it entertaining

[@jchazchastain4345]

MLB says " here hold my beer and watch this.

[@chrisoconor9314]

The umpires do their check between innings, so it shouldn't slow anything down. This is all on Girardi.

[@jchazchastain4345]

@@chrisoconor9314 Unless like Girardi. They request it at a crucial moment every inning. Just to get inside the pitcher heads.

[@johncronin9540]

@@jchazchastain4345 Well, the pitchers just need to not let it get into their head. That psychological game has been around as long as baseball. This is just another iteration of it. Coaching should train their pitchers to look nonchalant when they’re checked, even if they are annoyed. If you show body language that indicates you’re annoyed, then it’s only going to encourage the opposition to engage in provocation. It’s like NFL coaches who call timeout to try to ice the kicker. The good kickers aren’t going to let that happen, and they’re certainly not going to let the other team know if it bothers them. If Jackie Robinson could tolerate the extremely offensive racism he had to tolerate, then certainly these extravagantly overpaid athletes can tolerate being checked.

[@maxrohtbart6201]

Maybe the MLB should partner with the TSA to require pitchers to go through a security checkpoint before every single pitch.

[@Tker1970]

Please remove your shoes. Throw all liquids and pine tar away.

[@paveltolz6601]

TSA would only find stuff that was labeled 'Foreign Substance' w/o a prescription.

[@ellisford5038]

Every pitch is just to much. Every inning would be great.

[@stevesteve5804]

I don't know. TSA is a bunch of cop wannabees and losers who can't make it anywhere else. I don't know how they can detect a thing.

[@eggled1566]

Yes, if there's one organization synonymous with success and not being a huge, corrupt waste of time, it's the TSA. Not only would they never actually catch anyone, their most notable and embarrassing failures will prompt more and more ridiculous protocols that waste even more time. Also, the pitchers would somehow start constantly "losing" their expensive electronics all of a sudden.

[@jamiethornton6101]

Just ridiculous by Girardi. I'm glad Timmons tossed him. Best deserved ejection of the year. I wished MLB would do what the NHL does. If you check if someone has a legal stick in the NHL and they don't, it's a penalty on them. But if you call them out and their stick is legal, you get a penalty. It's time to eject the manager on the spot if they find NOTHING.

[@leifopstad2972]

Once is okay. Twice is ridiculous. Good job by Tim Timmons

[@stephkent2736]

Or take away their challenge.

[@skinflutey]

I think the mlb has penalties for abusing the check and it looks like girardi did

[@jackjon7763]

The penalty is a delay of game 2 min minor. Which is the penalty for any failed check in the NHL.

[@4HBirtcher]

Those umpires has absolutely no right what so ever since I saw that on the national news! Joe had a right to argue because the umpire has no right even if he says the pitcher has something sticky on his body, the umpire has no right what so ever because he did this three times!

[@Username35345]

Such a Busch league move by Girardi.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

Are you into NASCAR or something? I’m not meaning to sound rude or insult you (I watch NASCAR) but you either typed Busch like that on purpose or had autocorrect.

[@nateward9592]

@@rickhaavisto9023 Busch is also a beer. When someone says Busch league, or bush league, they mean it’s an amature move, something stupid they would possibly try in a beer league.

[@chrisdobson971]

Anheuser-Busch?

[@KidSniffer]

@@rickhaavisto9023 why does it matter?…

[@jackjon7763]

@@KidSniffer it’s the wrong spelling but I think almost everyone is going to figure it out.

[@jacoby1104]

scherzer with the alpha stare down at joe

[@Cole2279]

Girardi is proving it wasn't him that led the Yankees to championship. His roster was stacked. He's average at best as a manager.

[@TR-yi8up]

Time to retire, Joe. This was one the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen any manager, from Little League to rag ball to Beer League softball, ever pull. The game has passed you by. Go away

[@indycastletonjonahinarizon8380]

@CJ Claffey Nah, that was just bush league by Joe. He was doing whatever he could do to get his underachieving team an advantage.

[@indycastletonjonahinarizon8380]

@@Sheryl510 Nah.

[@TR-yi8up]

@CJ Claffey taunting a player? Trying to incite a fight with a player…sorry, but no

[@TR-yi8up]

@CJ Claffey I’m talking about the entire thing, including trying yo incite a fight with a player

[@TR-yi8up]

@@Sheryl510 of course you are. Turds usually find the same level in the bowl

[@pigs6486]

So much for speeding up the game. What a joke.

[@andrewreid895]

Very true... but you can’t say this isn’t pretty entertaining.

[@gretzkysyotes]

3 hours and 52 minutes…..for a game in June. Awful.

[@oldmanballer5088]

When I was watching this live I thought and still think Max was trolling Girardi with the cap pulls and adjustments.

[@ostonehouse6776]

So he isn’t yelling at Max, he’s yelling at one of the coaches on the Nationals Dug Out. Still an ejection but he’s not trying to start something with Max lol

[@MrDamian702]

He was yelling at K-long

[@aviationfascination]

He was yelling at Kevin Long

[@duffyy1]

Phillies manager clearly was antagonizing Mad Max. League needs to be careful and not give managers too much control over the check of the pitchers.

[@TeemoQuinton]

Or the pitchers could stop cheating

[@Brian-js6me]

@@TeemoQuinton was he cheating? They checked him 3 times.

[@EmpireofAngryCows]

Funny thing is, when Max gets pissed off he plays better.

[@MonthManAugust]

Jomboy confirmed Girardi was yelling at Kevin Long, one of the coaches for the Nationals, and a former Yankees coach when Girardi was still Manager over there.

[@lurklimit8378]

@@Brian-js6me No he wasn’t. He is also a pitcher that plays better when he gets heated

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

Ejected him for coming onto the field trying to instigate a fight with opposing teams coaches 🙄

[@truthillinois6397]

What’s next checking players hands when they adjust their jocks?

[@Stryyder1]

You missing the part where Kevin Long started cursing out Joe Giradi. Joe was not challenging Matt he was challenging Kevin Long he kept saying come on K-Long.

[@blackhawksnbullsncubsnbear4615]

And after the 2021 season, the Phillies fired hitting coach Joe Dillon and hired, you guessed it, Kevin Long. Best part is that if you're right, it would be extra amusing since Long and Girardi worked together with the Yankees.

[@largol33t1]

@@blackhawksnbullsncubsnbear4615 Correct. He was actually directing his anger at Scherzer's COACH. There's a video showing that he was shouting at Long. He was saying "C'mon K-long! Let's go!" Then he started stomping over to the Nationals' side. The umpires had enough of his BS and Girardi was booted from the game. Serves him right. He's such a terrible person.

[@blackhawksnbullsncubsnbear4615]

@@largol33t1 the funny part is “K-Long” is the Phillies hitting coach now, lol!

[@SooDoNimm]

Girardi cant cope with scherzers skills 😅

[@jh5301]

Gotta love Max. What a man, what a player

[@ralphozer2037]

Joe is great fuck the Nats

[@paisleykings1913]

As Harper cries “where’s my ring”? It’s in DC BITCH!!!

[@Oceangirl_505]

You are doing a great job, thanks! I appreciate you clarification on this.

[@kelliepastellie8619]

Joe Girardi is literally ruining MLB for me. I've been a Baseball fan for 40+ yrs

[@largol33t1]

I still can't believe how childish he is. It's just disgusting. He should be fined for interference with the game. I suggest a $5,000 fine to start. If he does at the next game, it climbs to $10k AND a 3-game ban. And if he STILL doesn't get the message (hey, he clearly wanted to fight Kevin Long in this video!), a year long ban and a $30k fine.

[@alecwilliams3487]

That’s a great was for Joe to get his players hit with a mid 90s high and tight fastball.

[@ParkTheSnark]

When Max started to undo his belt he threw his hands up like “Hey! No touching and make sure to tip!”

[@turner5643]

"Max does a staredown, Joe challenges him to a fight, Tim Timmons is a hockey linesman, this ejection has everything." Subscribed to the channel I laughed so hard at that

[@transitfan954]

Giradi: Hot-headed...I better stop there 😂

[@theJohnGaltLine]

Cost their team an out? No. Eject the manager requesting for the check? Yes.

[@l_Live_In_Oregon]

"Hockey Linesman"- I was thinking the same thing! And I am a hockey guy. Good call. Baseball is full of mind games, this is just another day at the Ballpark.

[@44carney44]

Giradi was telling Kevin Long to come at him not Max just to clear that up

[@stevedandy973]

I realize managers try to "fire up their team, but Girardi had NO BUSINESS coming onto the field like.that. His ejection was the right thing to do.

[@redsoxfan846]

I love what max does at the end

[@BearDown4Life]

Unless thete is a reason seen by the umps you should never let a manager stop the other teams pitcher in any inning just to get the pitcher out of rhythm.

[@911NightRanger]

There needs to be some limitations placed on this new rule. Here is just a suggestion: 1. The umpire can check the pitcher before the start of a game, and subsequently before an inning. 2. Opposing team can request the check of a pitcher once each pitcher, and prior to an inning without penalty. Subsequent checks will result in forfeiture of a replay, a mound visit without pulling the pitcher, or an out. There could also be a fine involved for the manager or coach who requested the subsequent check(s) and/or ejection from the game. 3. No pitcher can be checked during the play of an inning.

[@demcanes9488]

"A pitcher has never adjusted his cap inbetween hitters before."😂😂😂😂😂 Oh fuck. That is so damn funny!

[@Bill-uo6cm]

Girardi was an ass for stepping on the field.

[@blackhawksnbullsncubsnbear4615]

Then Kevin Long is even more of an ass for instigating it.

[@CoachOlsson]

lol great job scherzer, thats how you do it

[@retrostuff8976]

Ha ha that one National fan looking around going “Please don’t kill me Philly.” Lol

[@christianasiandude9682]

This is literally going to kill the game. This slows the game even more and just a waste of time. All the MLB pitchers are already tired of this.

[@EmpireofAngryCows]

seriously. if they're gonna insist on checking can't they just check during the break in between innings?

[@MikeNajdorf]

@@EmpireofAngryCows An interesting point was brought up by the commentator. What if it's the catcher who has the foreign substance and rubs it on the ball before he tosses it back to the pitcher? That's why you have to check between pitches and not between innings.

[@wesleyanderson6124]

Scherzer should send Joe an autographed cap.

[@colinbrown3314]

I actually love your idea on the rule change

[@bradhoffman9361]

I like your idea of there being some sort of penalty if managers ask for a check when one has already been done between innings. Otherwise this is going to get completely out of hand if it hasn’t already. I get that MLB doesn’t want guys cheating but this is turning into a circus real fast. Not to mention the pace of play that they’ve been saying they want to speed up is going to come to a screeching halt.

[@andrecanis4894]

Consequences yes, but giving up an out is too far. Give up a challenge instead.

[@mikejennings4180]

I don’t think Brad specifically said to forfeit an out, he just agreed with Close Call Sports that there should be some sort of penalty. I do agree with you that forfeiting an out is a bit ridiculous, but losing a challenge would be very fair.

[@stephenbeck7222]

MLB doesn’t care about cheating. They want more offense but they screwed up the ball this year so they have to do this now.

[@theman1412]

2:38, That clip of "Naked Gun" is so funny :)

[@JohnHillRSNStudios]

I agree that a manager who fails in their challenge for a foreign substance should have their team charged an out.

[@pobresito1262]

Everyone just forgot about them “juiced balls?” Funny how when pitchers start using sticky substances everyone forgets about my nuts. 😂

[@bemak78]

This will become a meme! 😆🤣 Can't wait!

[@FatPieceOfGarbage]

Omg the way Girardi immediately left after the ejection was icing on the cake. Ump: you’re out of here Girardi: seems reasonable, have a nice day.

[@450thParatrooper]

What you didn’t mention is what the Washington announcers discussed: MLB had just sent a memo saying that managers who request a pitcher check in the absence of clear evidence, in an effort to disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm, will be disciplined. MLB needs to roast Girardi for this stunt.

[@Aguanga_cowboy007]

Enrico Palazzo did a good job checking the Angel's pitcher. Even better he just let them play.

[@bmorebamma]

LMAO he wasn't even looking for what he found .He was looking for weather not he was going to kill the Queen

[@OrsilloFanClub]

I hope we can get to 100 ejections before the all star game!! 20 more to go!! Plus I kinda wished that this caused the benches to clear.

[@fnstyle]

Girardi was actually yelling at the bench coach. Jomboy's video explains it well...

[@SuperMutant2099]

I love Max is like "I got nothing to hide. Do a strip search if you need to" Some philly fans are going to say being mad and defensive. I'm not nats fan but this coming from a yankees fan. So neutral perspective. Also over reacting from Girardi. Come on Joe.

[@jeffhemmen9088]

A little context here. Girardi wasn't yelling at Scherzer. There's an unwritten rule that Managers don't attack a player on another team. It has happened but it's rare. Girardi was yelling at Nats bench coach Kevin Long. Long worked for Girardi on the Yankees. I don't think Girardi or any other manager would challenge a player to a fight. The way teams and pro baseball work, Scherzer may be playing on the Phillies next year. You never know where a player will end up playing next season. So, Managers aren't going to start stuff against players on another team

[@aviationfascination]

If I was Max, I would have walked over to the Phillies dugout and handed them my hat and glove and said check it for yourself!

[@jfkjunior2004]

Love it! Adds an extra layer to the game!

[@retrostuff8976]

I’m excited to see if there is going to be a incident tomorrow night or the rest of the series. Good to keep an eye on. If I was Roberts I would pull the same move tomorrow and see old joe gets upset lol

[@norcalkid3664]

Well atleast it was Tim Timmons, And not Greg Gibsons the HomePlate Umpire, motioning to both benches.

[@alonzobean1]

I wonder if this will make the game more efficient time wise? It may also lead to some fights.

[@sagrammyfour]

Oh boy. I am a woman, and have always loved baseball. But now, the game just got a lot more interesting. Take it off, take to all off, Max...

[@bmorebamma]

LMAO

[@bolbbalgan_4]

WTF Get out Joe

[@Steellatch]

Joe was yelling at K-Long. go watch JomBoys video on this.

[@user-sf4cg7du3d]

If the coach wants umpire to check the pitcher, he's gotta use his challenge chance. Otherwise, it's all up to umpires whether to check or not

[@InformalGreeting]

The response should be for the Nats to ask for the Phillies pitcher to be checked after every single pitch. Joe wants to play games so play games with him.

[@nathanrogers5277]

Why are pitchers getting upset? You know this is coming ! Grow Up!

[@ravenheaven2425]

I'm trying to recall if there was a time before where Joe gets ejected and doesn't argue about it?

[@thomasbroking7943]

In a time they're not throwing to put a guy on 1st it's excessive checking him 4 times. I think you can check him if you have reason but if you don't find anything there has to be an end.

[@christophers.4286]

It's ridiculous you can check them between innings and if the opposing manager asks him to be checked he can be checked in the middle of an inning..The manager should lose a challenge.

[@Greasyspleen]

I just want to know what the suspicious looking Nats fan at 3:01 was up to.

[@theJohnGaltLine]

A little something extra came out unexpectedly during a fart.

[@retrostuff8976]

Or just hoping he doesn’t get killed for this lol. It is Philly

[@WatsThaPrice]

He is insane to be wearing that jersey at a Phillies game 🤣🤣🤣

[@robp.7769]

I'm a big Phillies fan and a Girardi fan but pulling this stunt was uncalled for. Scherzer had already been checked, and in watching the game there was no pitch sequence or other signs that he was using a substance for enhanced grip on the ball. Bush league move and I don't blame Scherzer for being angry. Handled well by the umpires though.

[@hippokrampus2838]

I think it would be better to make the rule that if the manager wants to have the pitcher checked they have to say exactly where they believe the substance is on their person. I don't think penalizing them an out is appropriate because if a manager legitimately believes a pitcher is getting an illegal advantage they should be allowed to voice it and challenge, but to limit frivolous challenges the umpires should be allowed to refuse it if they aren't convinced (given an exact location they think the substance is) the manager isn't just "trying to get under" a pitcher's skin.

[@galatcompuertorico8461]

Girardi was talking to an ex coach of yankees that he knew. Nevertheless good management and ejection. That new “rule” can add 30 minutes in some games. “Check the hair, glove, neck, infield players who where near pitcher, catcher equipment and mitt... Enrico Palazzo was ahead of time.

[@strength9621]

Does this happen in baseball often? 😂😂

[@justinarias88]

Honest question can a pitcher hold his hand underwater before and during the game so it wrinkles up and he has better grip?

[@AnimeGamer0]

Here we go - if the teams clearly don’t like each other they’re gonna start forcing the umps to check each other’s pitchers every half inning or something just to annoy the other team.

[@karlrovey]

It's up to the umps to put a stop to that. Such an example is obviously managers acting in bad faith, which should get them tossed from the game.

[@MH3GL]

Don't blame Girardi for the League's bullshit. He's doing what he should be doing - trying to win. As long as ALL the pitchers on BOTH TEAMS are allowed to use the substance, then the playing field is fair. If hitters can use sticky stuff to get a better grip on the bat, then pitchers can use sticky stuff to get a grip on the ball. As long as they are not PHYSICALLY ALTERING THE BALL (ala sandpaper), then I see no problem with it.

[@earlhayes2969]

I would love to see Max bring a 5 gallon bucket of Pine Tar out to the mound with him next time he pitches

[@birdo623]

Great way to speed up the game

[@jamesbestryckijr988]

Instead of loosing an out when a manager asks the umpires to check the opposing pitcher even though he already had been checked twice before they should loose a challenge

[@MrLongboarder87]

Joe wasn’t challenging Max to a fight, he was challenging K-long (Kevin Long) to a fight. K-Long was screaming at Joe from the bench, you can see him at 5:55. They have a history from his time with the Yankees.

[@Ghostrider6A]

Tim Timmons had a flashback to when Jeff Kellogg tackled a streaker at Camden Yards.

[@natemarroquin]

The next time Scherzer pitches again against the Nats, don't be surprised if there's one up and in.

[@mikeh7544]

A manager should be immediately ejected if he asks for a check and they find nothing.

[@mikek6658]

Mlb has made a mess of all this. Rob Manfred needs to go.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

Why? I love when fans get pissed at Manfred...you are absolutely proving why he still has a job. You know what the reason for league commissioners is? To give the owners a public figure fans can blame instead of the owners, the people who really control the league...

[@harrisjessop1679]

I agree he needs to go and Rose needs to be reinstated.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

Harris Jessop Why? So another person who does what the owners want does the same crappy job? If owners thought he was doing a bad job, he wouldn’t have a job...

[@harrisjessop1679]

@@rickhaavisto9023 If owners where doing such a great job themselves player salaries wouldn't be out of control like they are now and players wouldn't be resorting to doing some of this BS causing stupid rules like this. It all goes back to the owners, we can at least all agree on that i think.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

Harris Jessop I’m glad you see my point. Any criticism for Manfred also should be placed on the owners. Any disgruntled fan who doesn’t do that and only blames Manfred just proves why Manfred is needed (or someone like him)

[@2000XS]

any chance ? hide substance in catcher's glove (not specifi to anyone)

[@spudpar]

What prevents a manager requesting a frisking every inning or even more often?

[@rickhaavisto9023]

Umps can refuse a frivolous search. That’s the only statement I have heard relating to overuse. The problem is frivolous is a term that means different things to different people...

[@frankharmon3280]

Joe Girardi completely cross the line

[@BOBDENSON1]

Never saw the umps check his hat. He threw it in the ground and every ump tried to settle him down.

[@christopherdunham2637]

If I'm at bat, and the pitcher is throwing 100 mph; I want that pitcher to have a better grip. For the life of me I can't see what's so wrong with the pitcher having a better grip.

[@ECG3485]

What is that song clip at 4:18?

[@internetselling]

No one pointing out Max grabs his hat repeatedly causing the concern then the 1st thing he does his throw is hat away from hisself when umps check him, distracts them with the whole belt unbuckle and don’t check his hat???

[@largol33t1]

I've studied Scherzer's actions in several uploads. His actions do NOT show guilt. He took his cap off and said something like go ahead and check me. I could read his lips, he was saying "I got nothing" over and over. And they found NOTHING. Girardi is pathetic. I'm glad the umpires finally got fed up with his interference and booted him from the game.

[@jasonroy1890]

I agree, if the manager is wrong it should be an out.

[@ynotttt]

It’s not big deal for Girardi to have him checked. However it didn’t make sense since the Umpire just did that shortly before his request. I don’t think Max should be that upset. I doesn’t need to be the last time either.

[@levachek]

The law of unintended consequences -

[@EmpireofAngryCows]

so are umps allowed to check a pitcher whenever? seems like a great deal for the opposing team - just claim he's cheating and stop him in the middle of an inning. cry harder gerardi.

[@karlrovey]

The umpires have the authority to eject managers of they make the request in bad faith.

[@tigersfan14]

I think the ump crew lost control of the situation and let Girardi become a distraction. Crews gotta recognize that some of these manager antics are actually very calculated disruptions. Joe Maddon has said publicly that he does this. Nothing Girardi did surprised me, he wants to win.

[@KeoniPhoenix]

That One Guy who Strips for TSA: @4:17 This pitcher is on my level. 👍

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

Max unbuckling his belt was the best part of all this

[@slaymyface1357]

He is trying to ice scherzer. Its kinda obvious

[@noevillarrealhuerta8841]

Miles de cámaras ya no es tan fácil hacer trampa y coincido contigo si al revisar esta todo bien se debe marcar un out por el desafío

[@gabegood8989]

Bauer video explains why he was touching his sweaty heat to mix water with the rosin bag to make his hand sticky

[@mdonnelly96]

Does it make a difference that yelling and challenge was between two coaches and not a player and a coach?

[@antoniolozoda5303]

That was a dumbass move by Girardi for coming out of the dugout to challenge the pitcher into a fight .

[@scottythegreat1]

@4:07 a pitcher has never adjusted his cap in between hitters before. These announcers dont remember Rafael Betancourt. I couldnt forget that guy. The umpires and managers would have a field day with that reliever.

[@RadioMattM]

I think they were being facetious.

[@mikejennings4180]

The Nationals announcers were being sarcastic. 99.9% of Pitchers readjust their cap in between pitches. They were mocking Girardi who apparently thinks it’s suspicious to readjust your cap, even after passing 2 foreign substance checks.

[@kvngn]

Here's one thing I'm a little confused about: are the umpires required to check the pitcher if the manager asks? Could Timmons have just said "no?"

[@rickhaavisto9023]

The umpires do not have to check if they believe the asking of it is frivolous. I think they didn’t expect Girardi to act like a doofus this early into the rule, so they probably weren’t planning on needing to use it this quickly.

[@kvngn]

@@rickhaavisto9023 Gotcha. Thanks!