The Philadelphia Phillies' West Coast road trip got off to an inauspicious start on Friday night in Colorado. In a strange turn of events early in the game, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper was ejected, in the top of the first inning, no less.
The incident started off harmless enough. After striking out on three pitches, Harper slammed his helmet down at home plate — which he'll be fined for — and proceeded to have a conversation with home plate umpire Brian Walsh.
Bryce Harper ejected from Phillies game early thanks to ridiculous ump show
What seemed like a harmless interaction, as Harper stood in the batter's box calmly taking off his batting gloves, quickly turned heinous as Walsh suddenly took it upon himself to end the discussion by turning and giving Harper the ol' heave-ho.
Bryce Harper has been ejected from the game. He disagreed with a call made by home plate ump Brian Walsh. Harper threw his helmet down after the at-bat and had a lengthy discussion with Walsh as he walked off the field.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) May 25, 2024
It seemed like an overreaction from the ump, although we don't know exactly what was said. Harper wasn't demonstrative in any way, barely moving in the box. He definitely got upset after the ejection, though. Harper and manager Rob Thomson pleaded Harper's case between innings, obviously to no avail.
The problem all started on the second pitch of Harper's at-bat against Colorado Rockies starter Ty Blach. In a 0-1 count, a sinker came in down and inside but was called a strike. Harper obviously wasn't happy with the call and let Walsh know before striking out in frustration on a curveball below the zone.
The @NBCSPhilly broadcast said Harper has been fined for throwing his helmet. Pitch No. 2 seemed to be the call that he took issue with (and was trying to talk to Walsh about): pic.twitter.com/CNLTy9UT7O
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) May 25, 2024
Phillies fans will no doubt remember Harper's last trip to Coors Field in May of 2023. After Rockies outfielder Jake Bird taunted the Phillies dugout, Harper led the charge onto the field in the infamous bench-clearing incident. He was ejected in that one, too.
According to Phillies Tailgate, Walsh is a minor league umpire who was called up to replace Jerry Layne. Walsh might need to grow some thicker skin to last in the big leagues.