Bryce Harper on Angel Hernandez ejection: Ump in the middle of something again its every y
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was ejected by third-base umpire Angel Hernandez on a questionable checked-swing call in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here’s what you need to know:
- The ejection occurred in the third inning after Harper appeared to hold up on a pitch down and inside on a full count as Pirates catcher Jason Delay appealed to Hernandez, who called Harper out.
- Harper immediately took off his helmet and moved toward Hernandez, who ejected the player immediately. The two-time MVP tossed his helmet into the stands before leaving the field.
- The helmet landed with 10-year-old Phillies fan Hayden Dorfman, and Harper eventually signed it as a keepsake.
- The Phillies clinched a postseason berth Tuesday and are 89-70 with three games to play.
Bryce Harper let Angel Hernandez have it after Angel called him out on a “check swing.”
🎥 @NBCSPhilly pic.twitter.com/Nt1Oc8OsXp
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 28, 2023
What they’re saying
“You’re grinding in that at-bat,” Harper said after the loss. “Facing a guy I’ve never faced before. I get to a 3-2 count, take a slider down and in. Obviously didn’t go and wasn’t even thinking about it in that situation. Was taking my stuff off then I heard the crowd’s reaction and I was just like, ‘There’s no way.'”
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“Just Angel in the middle of something again. I mean, it’s just every year. It’s the same story, same thing. I’m probably going to get a letter from Michael Hill (MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations) and I’m going to be fined for being right, again. So, it’s just the same thing over and over and over and over again. It’s just not right.”
Last answer, best answer from the coolest kid in the Delaware Valley. pic.twitter.com/3T1QBk8QFW
— Taryn Hatcher (@TarynNBCS) September 29, 2023
Backstory
Harper’s 2023 season got off to a delayed start as the slugger missed the team’s first 30 games while recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery. He has only missed time for a back injury in August since returning.
The 30-year-old even played Wednesday, a contest dubbed a “hangover game” since it came the day after the team qualified for the postseason. In a game where fellow star teammates Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos all took the night off, Harper hit the eventual game-winning home run.
Harper, a regular outfielder, has appeared as a designated hitter or first baseman while recovering from surgery this season. Rodolfo Castro took Harper’s spot in the lineup after his ejection Thursday and Bohm slid over to first base from third.
Required reading
(Photo: Bill Streicher / USA Today)
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