VIDEO: Justin Verlander Ejection Mic'd up Reveals Ridiculous Ump Show Moment By Pat Hoberg
By Mark Powell
Despite a 15-1 thumping of the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, not all was perfect in the Astros decisive win on the road. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who's largely been in the news for the wrong reasons this week, was ejected by home plate umpire Pat Hoberg with his back turned. While JV was very clearly arguing with Hoberg at one point, the disagreement was essentially over when Verlander turned his back to home plate, making this ejection one of the worst we've seen this season.
Justin Verlander Gets Ejected in the middle of the inning, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/9Y65DkUFWN
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) August 28, 2019
Verlander admitted postgame that both sides could've handled this situation better. JV surely should've dropped the argument earlier, making it clear to Hoberg that he didn't intend on continuing their discussion. Instead, Hoberg misinterpreted Verlander's stance for disrespect, throwing him out of the game in the process.
Justin Verlander said his ejection could have “been handled better, on both sides.” Verlander regretted some of the language he used, but thought once he turned his back that Pat Hoberg should have seen that as an end to the discussion
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 28, 2019
Being that the Astros were up 9-0 at the time of the ejection, it shouldn't hold too much water for the remainder of the series. Yet, it's just another reminder of the power those who officiate the game of baseball have, and how they can use it to their advantage and to the detriment of the game's greatest stars.