The New York Yankees tumbled against the lowly Oakland Athletics in the first game of their four-match series.
While the loss stings for many as the Yankees try to solidify their excellent start to the 2024 MLB season, fans were at a loss about the ejection of Aaron Boone.
The Yankees manager was thrown out of the field by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt just five pitches into the start of the game.
Boone was initially reacting to a hit on the right foot by his player Carlos Rodon on Oakland's Esteury Ruiz.
He tried to get the attention of the first base umpire, John Tumpane, but to no avail.
Wendelstedt tossed Boone after hearing an offensive word.
It turned out the comment was from a fan on the side and not from the Yankees manager.
"Guess what? You're not yelling at me. I did what I'm supposed to do and checked [with Tumpane]. I'm looking for him to get hit by the pitch. You got anything else to say, you're gone, OK?" he was caught saying by a YES Network microphone in the next play.
Boone tried to appeal the call and said, "I did not say a word! It was above the dugout!"
Fans, broadcasters, and almost everyone found the ejection abrupt and bizarre.
Some described it as a power tripping from the umpire. Many game officials are under fire this season for their wrong judgments.
The Yankees lost the game, 0-2.
Despite the backlash, Wendelstedt stood by his decision.
Why was Aaron Boone tossed despite the facts?
Wendelstedt, an umpire since 1998, doubled down on his decision.
He knows the facts. He is aware that the fan said something but insists that even the audience is Boone's responsibility.
He also explained that he'd rather have a manager ejected than a player.
"I know what Aaron was saying, that it was a fan above the dugout," Wendelstedt said after the game.
"That's fine and dandy. There were plenty of fans that were yelling at me before I called a pitch until the end of the game. What happened was, it wasn't him, it wasn't over where it was [bench coach Brad] Ausmus. It wasn't where the coaching staff and Aaron [were], but Aaron Boone is the manager of the New York Yankees and is responsible for everything that happens in that dugout."
He also shared that he had an idea about who shouted at him but explained that he decided not to go to the far end where the sound might have come from and to look for that guy.
Boone has a reputation for being hot-headed on the field, having collected 35 ejections in his seven years with the Yankees.
This is his second this season.
Although many think Boone is already under close monitoring from the umpires, he does not feel that way.
He still thinks he is getting fair treatment from the umpires and is just "obviously a little more vocal and fiery than some."
The Yankees will continue their series until Thursday and go straight to a three-game road trip at Baltimore Orioles.
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