Piniella: Ump ambushed me

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Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he was "ambushed" by plate umpire Rob Drake during his second-inning ejection Sunday night at U.S. Cellular Field, and claimed Drake "wasn't paying attention" to the pitch that led to the early thumb. After blowing off the media following Sunday night's loss to the White Sox, Piniella addressed the ejection before Monday night's game at AT&T Park. "I was talking to the first-base umpire about the checked swing, and I got ambushed from behind," Piniella said. "Well, then I got my money's worth -- I think. Probably not."

Chicago Tribune

Lou Piniella, AP Lou Piniella, AP
July 1, 2008  08:06 AM ET

I was wondering what was going on with that ejection. Lou appeared to be walking back to the dugout when he was tossed. The only thing I could figure is that he said something about the home plate ump.

One thing I have noticed is the umps are trying way to hard to be part of the game. They are the officials, they should stay out of site as much as possible. This season they haven't been.

July 1, 2008  08:29 AM ET

I agree with you Chapmaja 100%. Lou was walking away. What about the situation in NY with the ump and Manuel. Umps are starting to let the power get to them or something. LOL

July 1, 2008  08:52 AM ET

Drake is a fill in guy, either from the minors or from college, I can't remember what the announcers said. Probably wanted to be able to go back to his drinking buddies and tell them about tossing Lou Pinella out of a game. Needless to say, the first base ump, also a fill in guy, handled it correctly. The HP ump better enjoy his short time up because it probably won't happen for him again.

July 1, 2008  09:03 AM ET

Could have been worse, Pinella. The ump could have bent you over right there in front of all those White Sox fans.

July 1, 2008  09:17 AM ET

Wow, way to cry like a ****!

Manuel, "The ump chest-bumped me!"
Pinella, "I was ambushed!"

They were brave coming out of the dugout & then whine when the umps defend themselves!

July 1, 2008  09:37 AM ET

Could have been worse, Pinella. The ump could have bent you over right there in front of all those White Sox fans.

madhatter | 07/01/08, 09:03 AM

Maybe lake piniella could pee on him.. LOL

July 1, 2008  09:41 AM ET

Wow, way to cry like a ****!

Manuel, "The ump chest-bumped me!"
Pinella, "I was ambushed!"

They were brave coming out of the dugout & then whine when the umps defend themselves!
UtleyMVP08 | 07/01/08, 09:17 AM

Shut up dummy. You're Utley for MVP is a sure-fire sign of your stupidity.

July 1, 2008  09:47 AM ET

Wow... UtleyMVP the home plate ump threw him out when he was returning to the dugout. He was a fill in with something to prove. Why is it Ozzie was allowed to come out and argue balls and strikes in game one directly with the home plate ump and wasnt tossed in the first game of the series? But Pinella gets tossed for questioning and obvious bad check swing call???? poor excuse for an ump.

July 1, 2008  09:48 AM ET

Im really glad Pinella turned around and laid into him before just leaving the field. It will start a winning streak mark my words...

July 1, 2008  09:50 AM ET

CubNation, don't waste your breath. That Utley rocket scientist doesn't know anything. The ump got SUSPENDED for bumping Manuel too. That concept seemed to escape UtleyMVP08.

July 1, 2008  09:52 AM ET

It doesn't matter that he was returning to the dugout. The violation of the rules occured when he left the dugout to argue a ball/strike call. That is the most clear cut ejection earning offense in baseball. You argue a ball/strike call you're gone. Especailly if you leave the dugout to do it. Suck it up Lou, you know the rules.

July 1, 2008  09:54 AM ET

The first base umpire blew the check swing call, but handled the situation with Lou correctly. The home plat ump was dead out wrong to interfere. He had no business butting in. That said, I am an official and back these guys, but when mistakes are made, make changes. It may look ugly, but, for goodness sake, get it right!

July 1, 2008  09:56 AM ET

Oooooh Noooo, i upset the Cubs fans ..

July 1, 2008  09:59 AM ET

I agree to a point, Dandy Lions, but you guys ignore the fact that Piniella gets little slack from the umps because he so often comes out and acts like an idiot. He's a hot-head, and the umps don't always give him much leeway because of his past idiotic behavior.

July 1, 2008  09:59 AM ET

At this point, i might as well keep it going!

CUBS -- "Completely Useless By September"


hahahahahahahaha

July 1, 2008  10:02 AM ET

Lou you cannot argue balls and strikes with the umps in the field. You deserved exactly what you got, WHICH was what YOU WANTED anyways.

July 1, 2008  10:05 AM ET

Pinella loves being a jerk-off, so when he's treated like 1 he doesnt like it ..
The second he leaves the dugout, the umps are ready to eject him, be4 he even says anything & he knows that!

July 1, 2008  10:05 AM ET

ozzie obviously didnt come out to argue balls and strikes in game 1 because he wouldve been ejected.. i agree it was a cheap shot on lou to throw him out, but the minute you step out of the dugout and begin talking about balls and strikes you are gone. simple as that, doesnt matter if he was walking back toward the dugout

July 1, 2008  10:23 AM ET

He definitely got hosed here. Any time the guy has to eject you twice b/c you didn't see it the first time (as you were walking back to the dugout), you got screwed.

 
July 1, 2008  10:23 AM ET

Pinella uses the ejection as a tool to fire up his club, it is a valid managerial technique. Had Willie done it earlier in the season he might still have his job, might. I think that is what sweet Lou means when he says he is getting his money's worth.

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