In an effort to promote social distancing during this pandemic-shortened MLB season, players are allowed to watch the game from the stands instead of a crowded dugout.
But that doesn’t mean that the stands protect players from the wrath of hypersensitive umpires. Just look at Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.
During Thursday afternoon’s game between the Nationals and Mets, home plate umpire Carlos Torres exchanged some words with Nats manager Davey Martinez over balls and strikes. It appeared that Torres accurately called a borderline 2-2 pitch a ball, but the Nationals were still furious.
That was when Torres pointed towards the stands and ejected … somebody.
There was some initial confusion over who had just been ejected. The broadcast thought that Martinez had been tossed — even Martinez seemed to ask if he was ejected. But no, it was Strasburg who was watching the game FROM THE STANDS.
Strasburg, upon realizing he was just ejected, tipped his cap and walked through the aisles to exit the stands.
Just amazing — all of it.
