VIDEO: Remembering Lloyd McClendon's Epic Ejection as Pirates Manager 18 Years Ago Today
By Michael Luciano
The best argument against robot umpires in baseball is the idea that you could lose the artistry that is a manager losing his mind at an umpire, promptly getting ejected, and voicing his displeasure in the most theatrical way possible. On this day 18 years ago, we might have experienced the greatest ejection of all time thanks to former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon. After being tossed in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, McClendon proceeded to take first base and walk into the dugout with it.
Simply astounding. As great as Earl Weaver and Lou Pinella were, this one goes right up there with anything those two hotheads ever produced.
McClendon's theatrics might have actually helped the spur the hapless 26-47 Pirates into action, as they rallied to win this game 7-6 in the 12th inning thanks to an Aramis Ramirez two-run home run and a Rob Mackowiak walk-off single.
Looks like McClendon knew exactly what he was doing.
While McClendon managed to get another managerial job with the Seattle Mariners and is currently the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers, he'll always be best remembered for losing his cool and literally stealing a base on a balmy summer night in Pittsburgh.