One of the most bizarre moments in the early going of the 2022 MLB season happened during Wednesday’s game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins.
When the first inning ended, Arizona pitcher Madison Bumgarner was ejected by umpire Dan Bellino after being checked for foreign substances. The ejection didn’t even appear to have anything to do with foreign substances. After a lengthy hand check from Bellino, Bumgarner voiced his displeasure and was then tossed. The three-time World Series champion had to be held back by Arizona coaches after the ejection.
The Bally Sports Arizona broadcast showed video of the hand check, which featured Bellino spending the entire time staring at Bumgarner’s face.
Is this a hypnosis or a hand check? pic.twitter.com/Yw8aeTf4RF
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 4, 2022
Very strange.
On Friday, Bellino addressed the incident. The 43-year-old umpire said that he “will learn from this incident” and he “sincerely apologize[s].”
Here’s Bellino’s statement on the incident with Bumgarner:
“I would like to address my actions on May 4 involving Madison Bumgarner. When I began my MLB career almost 15 years ago, I received some good advice. I was told to umpire every game as if my children were sitting in the front row. I fell short of those expectations this week. While I can’t go back and change what happened, I take full accountability. I will learn from this incident, and I sincerely apologize.”
So, Bellino apologized, but he didn’t exactly address whatever the heck really happened either.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds that Bellino “was disciplined, according to a source, but he is working this weekend so have to assume it was a fine only.”
[Photo Credit: Bally Sports Arizona; MLB]
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.