Quadruple Ejection… and some “Baseball Terms”
Do rookie umpires get extra points based on the number of guys they can toss in a game? Because if so, Todd Tichenor (just up from Triple-A Pacific Coast League) hit the jackpot with four – count ‘em – FOUR ejections in one single inning of today’s Sox-Twins matchup in Minnesota.
So that’s two catchers and two managers gone in the space of an inning. Nice work, Tichenor! Here’s video of both ejections:
After the game, Heidi Watney and Amalie Benjamin interviewed Josh Beckett in the locker room and attempted to gain some insight on what went on. Thankfully for the NESN censors, he did not elaborate.
Q: Did you yell in to the umpire?
JB: Yeah, I mean, I said something. Like I said, it was uncharacteristic of me. And it (the ejections of Varitek and Francona) was all caused by me.
Q: What did you say?
JB: Just some baseball terms.
Q: Care to elaborate (on what you yelled)?
JB: Uh-uh. I mean, why? You can’t write it. [The TV camera] can’t hear it. So there’s no reason for me to elaborate.
“Baseball terms”. Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays? I can imagine what “baseball terms” Josh chose to share with the umpire in that situation. Here’s the post-game interview in all its glory, complete with Tom Caron and Jim Rice laughing about Josh’s baseball terms.
beckett is hilarious. you ask him another dumb question and you get sarcasm-i love it. I was at the game left of home plate and didn’t hear beckett swear but he was mad as veriteck was talking to the ump- pedroia was trying to calm him down- hold him back- he was pissed. this umps first game in the majors! horrible. okajima looked great-but that ump was horrible
@Meg: I think the Twins would agree.
And I think Tek saw Beckett’s anger flash, because he went to throw the ball, heard/saw Beckett, stopped, then threw the ball and turned around to chirp at the ump.
It is kind of ironic that lil’ Dustin “Mouth” Pedroia is holding back big ol’ Josh Beckett.
I’ve never seen Varitek get that angry at an umpire. That was great.
@Adam: TEK WILL END YOU.
“Baseball Terms” is my favorite new euphemism for cursing. I’ll have to use it often now.
In addition to the choice words, Beckett gave a very dismissive wave towards the umpire when he left the game too. Is that like flipping the bird in baseball terms?
I can’t remember the last time I saw Tek get ejected. The famous 2004 brawl game with A-Rod, maybe? Guy knows how to pick his spots.
This was great fun. Loved the Beckett interview. Thanks for filling in the detail we couldn’t see. The umpire looked like he was just going to level out the insults — eject exactly the same personnel from each side. I was sure proud of Tek today. He hit the ball and he was not going to have Beckett ejected no matter what it took. The captain got it done today.
Well, so did Beckett. And then gave us “baseball terms” as a gift
And bravo to Heidi and Amalie for pushing Beckett – because lord knows that must be difficult to do when he’s giving those patented Beckett dismissive looks.
Tek kind of fell on his sword for Josh, obviously realizing the umpire was going to toss ANYONE who questioned him and not wanting the guy who’s cruising along on the mound and who’s known for expressing himself, um, colorfully to be one of them. Although I didn’t know that you could piss off an umpire by yelling “Bullshit!” because that’s clearly what Josh said.
@Trish: Tichenor has a very thin skin. Unfortunately, ejecting four different people in the same inning is going to get him noticed—and not in a way that helps his career.
So, when there are day games…and I have to actual work at work…they are always interesting, eh? I ended up watching almost all the game when I got home on mlb.tv
Baseball terms…yeah, that is hilarious. Josh’s snarky bite when answering questions is one of my favorite things about him. How he hates every single moment in front of the media and does nothing to hide it…good lord, I love it something fierce. Oh…love you Joshie.
And Tek. I think he knew that with that ump…if he heard and realized how Josh was reacting and how things were going, he would eject Josh without question. Tek’s quick thinking and falling on the sword for Josh, another great example of why he is our captain. And with the two homers…Josh owes Tek more than a beer or two. Maybe they can go out, have a few beers, sing some karaoke and talk “baseball terms.”
“Baseball terms.”
LOVE that.
Hahaha. Josh is just a ball of awesome
@shelley1005:
hahaha, I think I would pay all of the money i have to hear Josh and Tek sing. Lord that would be funny. haha
does jim rice always sound like fred sanford?