Non-Ejection - Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, Crew Chief Joe West Order Removal of Nats GM Mike Rizzo

[@robertbrown7470]

8.01b Great Rule! The umpire's are the highest officials in Major League Baseball during the game. Higher than the Commissioner.

[@imhooks]

This shit has gone too far. Absolutely nuts what this world has become.

[@jackjon7763]

Joe west later said “I wouldn’t take that from a player, I wouldn’t take that from a manager. We said stop and we stopped it.” Might not be the exact wording. It was 100% for what he said and west later said “we are in the middle of a pandemic, we can hear everything.” Talking about how there are no fans in the stands

[@StrivingTowardsWhatIsAhead]

Someone call security cause I’m very insecure.

[@MikeBHR]

1. It looks like Thames reacted towards the center of the field when the stoppage occurred and Carapassa (sp?) was very active in this sequence. Could Vic have seen something from Rizzo that instigated this? Perhaps there was an obscene gesture with a big windup to make sure he was noticed, along with the verbiage that even the mascot reacted to. This is obviously guesswork, but with the camera focused on the batter and no clear audio, every comment made before the crew's report becomes public is guesswork. 2. I like Hunter's restraint regarding the batter's reaction at the end. The clearly audible profanity and the anger behind the bat spike would have been an easily justifiable ejection, but Hunter limited it to an equipment violation. Maybe Hunter realized that call was a bit imperfect and let Thames vent a little more than usual. If so, good in this case. 3. For those who criticize Joe West for seeking attention, isn't this the first time he's been mentioned on this channel since the bat to the head that "coincidentally" happened the game after Ejections 3-4? What's his game count at anyway? 4. No crew consultation for this one. I like the decisiveness.

[@CloseCallSports]

Best case scenario Joe will be about 10 games shy of the all-time games record by the start of next season.

[@2themoon863]

Well, he’s long passed the games record this season and he’s retiring after this season.

[@michaellyons9820]

This season gets more ridiculous by the day. This is a classic case of rabbit ears. Holding up a game five minutes over what couldn't have been heard on the field in any season prior to 2020 is over-umpiring beyond the pale.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

So should umpires not enforce the rules because he would have gotten away with it before...

[@jonkuntz4960]

Umpires not kick Washington National GM out

[@PutDownTheBunny]

Handin' out tickets and warnings like they were candy

[@storyofcory]

Wasn't Rizzo literally the ONLY person in that particular suite?? Why are they ejecting him *for not wearing a mask* ( *NOT* for having said something "insulting" to or about the umpires) if he's the only person in the suite?????

[@Subangelis]

Did you not bother watching the video?

[@seanhosfield4974]

Are ejection reports released by MLB, where would locate them and what punishment was handed down?

[@iLLPerfect]

what happens when there's an equipment violation?

[@CloseCallSports]

It's a fine

[@fastball360]

I don’t think that was Joe who said “he doesn’t have his mask on”

[@brentturner7232]

I don't think it was either. Sounded like Brian Snitker.

[@darinlegore284]

Would umpires write a report of this "non-ejection" request for removal?

[@CloseCallSports]

Yes any situation that is unusual a report will be written and submitted to the office

[@michaelfalkner1186]

@@CloseCallSports Especially as it relates to the conduct of a person affiliated with the club, you betcha.

[@Zirnick]

i thought he got ejected for just not havin a mask on 😂

[@storyofcory]

He did.

[@MrStradia]

Crappy second strike call. Then the kerfuffle. I can see how Thames was off his game in that at bat.

[@Aviationwithpete]

But the umpire doesn’t have his face mask on correctly

[@jamiethornton6101]

PER MLB They are launching an investigation and not pleased with the situation. Joe West said that what was being said to Hunter, he would never allow from a player, coach, or manager. He even said he would eject Donald Trump if it was him saying it, but he would still vote for Trump. LOL. Joe West humor right there. As you pointed out in your video, the Owners and ownership groups are who really run MLB. There would be no MLB without them and the money they provide. So obviously MLB isn't going to look favorable on Hunter Wendelstedt, and you can almost bet he wont receive any post season assignments. We talk about the bias that happens with Joe Torre, I can assure you after this Hunter Wendelstedt's days of working the post season are probably over for the foreseeable future. Comments from GM Rizzo said it's unprofessional for the umpire to put on a show and call him out. You can bet baseball politics are not going to play into Hunter's favor on this one.

[@0g.Ghost.7373]

And that's why so many have stopped watching MLB. The UMP should have started calling strikes until he was removed.

[@alanhess9306]

He didn't work post season in 2021 but he did the AL wild card game in 2022

[@alanconnelly3921]

2020 a gm gets ejected lol

[@alexh8613]

What is the MLB rule concerning rabbit ears???

[@2themoon863]

But in an empty ballpark anything said can be heard throughout the ballpark, and that is what happened here; had GM Rizzo said this with 30-35,000 people in the ballpark likely would never have been heard over the crowd noise.

[@kevindavis8175]

Davidson threw out a fan in Milwaukee in 2010.

[@CloseCallSports]

Check out our Podcasts.. found where ever free podcasts are sold.... Or here: anchor.fm/the-plate-meeting We spent a while talking to Bob about lots of things... and we have lots of stories from Former MLB guys that will entertain on a long drive!

[@300hiker]

Joe West needs a bigger mask.

[@cqsoyaaeverythingfan2697]

Why would they do that????

[@TheSjuris]

Can’t argue balls and strikes. You break the rules the cops will get you. Pretty sure Rizzo is going to get a nice fine for not wearing a mask.

[@cqsoyaaeverythingfan2697]

@@TheSjuris but that's what they always do.

[@TheSjuris]

Cq soyaa everything fan that’s probably why Hunter heaved him not for the mask though. That’s going to be a separate issue.

[@cqsoyaaeverythingfan2697]

@@TheSjuris I'm sure there they will have more

[@rayshamrock]

@@TheSjuris why would he wear a mask outside?

[@MrCocksuckme]

MLB is a joke. Never watching again. Pathetic slaves

[@charliestokes4520]

If joe didn’t fall for the COVID joke then I have even more respect for him than I already did. By the way the mask wasn’t why they wanted him out

[@alexanderlindsley5016]

This was a good video nice job. I also think Hunter wendelstedt is a pretty good umpire Rizzo must have said something really bad to set him off like that he's not like Angel Hernandez who will throw you out for anything

[@storyofcory]

The GM wasn't ejected for anything he said. He was ejected because he didn't have a mask on.

[@jinglebells1238]

Hawk Harrelson would say Joe West deserves a suspension he needs a rest, he needs a rest.

[@PokemonX12-9]

That’s really dumb

[@shawklan27]

Even dumber considering this was played in a empty stadium!

[@stevekrause5931]

I thought West had retired. It's amazing that he's still going strong. Also, I've noticed a lot of new umpires this year. Are they simply filling in for those who were too concerned about Covid to work? If so, are the latter getting paid?

[@atomicbullitt5669]

I think they were minor league call ups for the umps that opted out of the season.

[@CloseCallSports]

Steve, Yes everyone is getting paid and at the moment over 1/4 of the staff is out for the season either opting out with CoVid concerns or injured. So the extra umpires are a necessity!

[@stevekrause5931]

@@CloseCallSports OK, thanks. Also, I love your channel.

[@Renville80]

@@stevekrause5931 I think West is real close to passing Bill Klem’s record of games umpired, and if he gets it, I predict he will call it a career after finishing whichever season he gets the record in.

[@stevekrause5931]

@@Renville80 Ah,, ok. thanks

[@larsdworak]

Joe West is a terrible umpire. What he is doing in the MLB is beyond me. But he must have something in his contract that cant get him fired.

[@apawlush1734]

Hunter Wendelstedt and Joe West deserve a Suspension!

[@kevinhirtle9754]

They deserve RETIREMENT

[@johnleonard6878]

Why? the GM Mike Rizzo one time after a game he walks from his suite and confronts the umpires over what he thinks was a blown call. If any one Rizzo should be suspended

[@waltjeffers4746]

John Leonnard no

[@shawklan27]

Agreed

[@mark-shane]

Haha. Rizzo a loudmouth bullshitter. Got it. Well done Umps

[@MrCocksuckme]

anyone who supports this league or even watches it is a loser imop

[@alfonsedalessio8244]

Joe west is a waste as a umpire what a joke

[@Runnin4Him85]

What an absurd ejection. They should indeed be suspended for this.

[@mikek6658]

OMG how about the umps worry about the game. What a power trip

[@slovell920]

Whats the power trip. Here is the reality. If the stadium is full with 40K who cares what he says. Bit when you are taking advantage of an empty stadium you yell your BS hell yeah you need to get ejected

[@mikek6658]

Actually it does. Unless your threating someone or impeding the progress of play. Just because Mr. Wendelstedt is sensitive doesn't make him stadium security.

[@JLuz34]

Kicked out for not wearing a mask when you're standing alone in an upper deck of an empty MLB stadium? Lmfao, if you still think this is about health people - you are *delusional*. Reality has completely jumped the shark.

[@InspectorJeremy]

I heard him say how much he hates masks. I wonder if he tossed him to prove a point. Maybe put some pressure on the GMs to quit this bull. If the MLB keeps up with the covid BS and keeps getting involved with BLM they won't have enough fans to sustain them. Players salaries will be nothing and umpires will be laid off. They should start with Joe. He's the worst. But I will say, after today, I am officially done with pro sports. Its too much. I came back last week to give pro sports another chance. Its been a week of anger. Just let people play and keep politics out. So im out. This is it. Nobody cares but me. Good bye sports. It was fun.

[@pw-wv3yy]

Good riddance. You are obviously someone who's life isn't affected by the racism and political corruption in this country. Issues need be brought to light and discussed and pro sports is one of the best venues for that to happen.

[@InspectorJeremy]

No... its not. Its soooo not.

[@InspectorJeremy]

Its funny when little communists get angry. Keep politics and racists crap out of sports. We watch so we dont have to hear all that crap. It's everywhere else. Sports used to be a place to escape to not hear it. FYI douche, the majority of sports players are black so we obvious don't care about race until they bring it up and ruin the game. It doesn't matter. I don't care anymore. They will stop all this BS once they realize they won't get paid as much cause revenue is way down. Then they show their hypocrisy in bright and shiney colors. Pathetic

[@slovell920]

All this channels tries to do is pile on officials. Its easy to throws these stones in empty stadiums. If they were full most of these actions players and personnel take are ignored. Your channel doesnt take this into consideration and believes every slight is responded to by officials.

[@CloseCallSports]

You're on the record!

[@padseven]

MLB is finished

[@padseven]

@Barn Owl I hope your right, but it doesn't look good!

[@billtaverner2866]

Besides the abuse of his authority, Joe West unnecessarily endangered the health and safety of Mike Rizzo and the security guard assigned to escort Rizzo. Previously, no one was within hundreds of feet of Rizzo. MLB needs to discipline Joe West.

[@billtaverner2866]

@ConkeyCrack Yeah. He put two people near each other who had previously not been within a country mile of each other. For the sake of his fragile ego, not able to listen to criticism of balls and strikes from the stands.

[@alanhess9306]

@@billtaverner2866 So you think this jerk off up o in the stands can see the strike zone better?

[@jcearnhardt393]

No surprise. Its Joe west he loves the attention

[@TheSjuris]

It’s not West it’s the home plate umpire.

[@TheSjuris]

@Captain Ricky players have to follow rules if they cant they belong in the stands. If you dont understand that then maybe you have issues. Its the umpires job to enforce the rules.

[@jcearnhardt393]

@@TheSjuris rizzo was in the stands, thats the point we are trying to make there you moron

[@bg5469]

joe west breaking the rules he’s expected to follow as an mlb umpire is insulting to me as a baseball fan. joe west injecting his asinine political opinions where absolutely nobody, even the people that agree, wants it is insulting to me as someone with an iq above room temperature.

[@leib9240]

You mean like BLM being all over the place in other sports? I’m curious if you have an issue with that? Or is it just political statements you don’t agree with?

[@alanhess9306]

Exactly what rule was West breaking?

[@andrewjchristian]

Time for Joe to retire 😂