Heated Springer tossed after arguing HBP call: ‘I was just kind of in shock’
ANAHEIM — George Springer doesn’t often lose his cool, but he couldn’t contain his anger after a replay review on Tuesday night.
Springer was ejected in the seventh inning of the Blue Jays 6-1 win over the Angels at Angel Stadium by home-plate umpire Manny Gonzalez after arguing a replay review.
Springer appeared to get hit on his back foot by a pitch from Angels left-hander Kenny Rosenberg and began trotting to first base, but Gonzalez ruled the pitch did not hit Springer. The Blue Jays challenged the call, but after a replay review, the call stood.
Springer began walking away from the batter’s box while yelling and was quickly ejected by Gonzalez. After Springer was thrown out, he charged at Gonzalez and had to be restrained by Blue Jays manager John Schneider and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
“I was just kind of in shock at that call,” Springer said. “It is what it is. And if you argue the call in that situation [after a replay review], it’s an automatic ejection. I get it. I know the rules.
“I know it hit me. I’m not going to say it didn’t hit me if it didn’t hit me. … I know it hit me in the foot, but it is what it is.”
It was just the second ejection of Springer’s 11-year career. Addison Barger replaced Springer mid-at-bat and popped out.
“Initially, [Gonzalez] had said that because of the way that the angle [Angels catcher] Logan O’Hoppe had slid to block the ball, he couldn’t see it initially,” Springer said. “I said, ‘OK, cool,’ and we went to the challenge and we were unsuccessful.
“Obviously, the call stood on the field. I know it hit me in the foot, so that’s kind of all I can do about it.”
From Schneider’s vantage point in the visitors’ dugout along the first-base line, there was no question the ball hit Springer’s foot.
“George isn’t going to look into the dugout and say he got hit if he didn’t get hit,” Schneider said. “It was pretty clear from our view that he did. Maybe there wasn’t an angle in New York to get it.
“I thought there’s no need to throw George out there. He was kind of walking away and gathering himself. That was, I think, why he reacted the way he did.”
Springer said Gonzalez did not say anything to set him off, and that his anger was solely a function of his frustration with the call and being ejected while walking away from the batter’s box.
“I gotta be better,” Springer said. “There’s kids in the stands. I don’t want my sons to see me get that mad. So, I gotta be better.”
