Why anyone would mess with Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner is beyond comprehension.
Bumgarner, who is well known throughout his career for not being one to put up with much on the diamond, was ejected after just one inning Wednesday afternoon and had to be restrained by teammates as he tried to go after first base umpire Dan Bellino.
In the bottom of the first inning against the Miami Marlins, Bumgarner was not happy with the strike zone of the home plate umpire and gave up a leadoff home run to Jon Berti. As Bumgarner walked off the field to the dugout — angrily gesturing toward home plate — Bellino came over to check the pitcher’s hand for foreign substances.
Last season, pitchers had their gloves and belts checked in between innings to ensure no nefarious activities were taking place and to protect the “integrity of the game.” This season, pitchers’ hands are checked for foreign substances, such as pine tar.
Bellino, taking an unusually long time to check Bumgarner’s hand, appeared to be staring at the pitcher as he checked for sticky substances, waiting for a reaction from Bumgarner.
Bellino got one, as Bumgarner said something to the umpire before being ejected. Bumgarner then had to be held back by his teammates as he continued to yell at Bellino.
Madison Bumgarner has been ejected. Lots happening here. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/SGl0tZIQZM
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 4, 2022
“You guys have seen the video,” Bumgarner said after the Diamondbacks 8-7 win. “I don’t know if I could say anything that would make the situation better. What I am going to say is I’m extremely proud of our team, coming back. Obviously, I didn’t go into the game with the intention of throwing one inning. Everyone picked me up today.”
Bellino was asked after the game whether he thought staring down Bumgarner while checking his hand contributed to the ejection.
“I wouldn’t say he took exception to it. It was just a hand check,” Bellino said, according to ESPN.
Bellino can say whatever he’d like, but his check of Bumgarner was certainly unusual, especially compared to the one Marlins pitcher Elieser Hernandez went through earlier in the game.
Baseball’s “foreign substance” crackdown only creates more problems and increases the frequency of embarrassing situations for Major League Baseball.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].