TAMPA—Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez in the bottom of the first inning of Thursday's spring training game against the Yankees.
After Iassogna called a ball on Braves starter Shelby Miller’s first pitch Iassogna turned toward Gonzalez, who was seated in a chair near the dugout. After some spirited conversation between the two, Iassogna took off his mask and tossed Gonzalez from the game.
Gonzalez then approached Iassogna to argue some more before heading to the clubhouse for the night.
“It was balls and strikes,” Gonzalez said. “I thought the balls in the first inning were down and they were calling strikes. Then Shelby throws a good pitch and they call a ball. It’s a late game in spring training and I get a little ornery because I’m usually in bed by this time. Maybe my temper got me a little bit.”
The top of the first inning ended when Iassogna called a third strike on first baseman Freddie Freeman on a low pitch from Yankees right-handed Masahiro Tanaka.
Miller said the Braves thought Iassogna’s strike zone was generous in the top of the inning but that the umpire didn’t give Miller the same call.
“I like that (Gonzalez) was sticking up for the team,” Miller said. “As pitchers and hitters all we are looking for is consistency. If the manager don’t like it, he’s going to let them know about it. You want a manager who will stick up for you.”
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