Yankees’ Boone ejected again, but ‘not advocating’ for robot umps
NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who was sent off for the fourth time this season and the second time in four games, didn’t believe there was a need for robot umpires.
“I don’t want that,” Boone said after Thursday night’s 3-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Boone was thrown over the umpire’s strike zone midway through the third inning by Edwin Moscoso. Boone held up four fingers as he argued, signaling that Boone believed the plate umpire missed four calls on pitches from Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt.
A chart released by the Yankees’ YES network showed that at least six of Schmidt’s throws that reached the edge of the hitting zone were called balls.
“Obviously he didn’t need to have nearly 30 pitches in that first inning,” Boone said. “But no, I am not advocating the robo. I think these guys are doing a great job for the most part and are working really hard at it. If you play a lot, there will be some problems over time, as simple as that.”
Boone was angry too. Moscoco walked away during the argument and first base umpire Chris Guccione, the crew chief, stood between the two as Boone attempted to attack Moscoso again.
“I shouldn’t have been kicked out of this game.” Boone said. “I was very calm and didn’t do much at all. And then Gucc held me back and just told me – so I didn’t have to be held back. The dismissive attitude when I walked away bothered me.”
Boone may have spat on an umpire while arguing, which could result in a suspension from Major League Baseball.
“I hope not,” Boone said.
Boone was ejected just after Gunnar Henderson started first to finish the top portion of the third heat. Henderson managed a six-pitch walk in the first game against Schmidt, in which Moscoso played balls on three border fields.
Henderson rematched Schmidt, putting down two throws on the outside corner, referred to as balls, in his third inning while batting.
“It will happen. There will of course be some missed calls as the game progresses,” said Schmidt, who had 29 shots in the first game and 97 shots in five innings. “It seemed like there were a couple of crucial points right at the start. As a result, the number of pitches increased slightly right from the start.”
Boone was sent off against Cleveland on April 12, Toronto on May 15, and Cincinnati on Sunday. He was sent off 30 times in more than five seasons as a Yankees manager.
“We’re fighting with all our might out there, so it’s a good feeling to see your manager out there fighting with all our might for you,” said Schmidt. “I know he will always have our backs.”:
