Matt Marton - USA Today Sports
Matt Marton - USA Today Sports

WATCH: Maddon adamant Baez wrongfully ejected, MLB needs to say something


by - Senior Editor -

Cubs second baseman Javier Baez and manager Joe Maddon got ejected at the end of the fifth inning of Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Cardinals for arguing a called-strike call on Baez. The umpire didn't like Baez showing him up by throwing his bat and his helmet after the call.

Home plate umpire Will Little rung up Baez without asking for an appeal with the first base umpire Ted Barrett on the difficult check swing call. Normally on the 50-50 call, umps will ask for help with his fellow ump that has a better view of the check swing.

Maddon spoke with the media following the game about the incident with the umpire.

"He did nothing to be kicked out of that game. He did throw his stuff, whatever, but he did not say anything derogatory towards the umpire. You don't kick Javy out. If he gets in your face and is obnoxious or belligerent or whatever, but he did not. He turned his back to him. That needs to be addressed, on both ends."

Maddon knows that his defense was weakened after Baez's ejection.

"The dynamic of our defense was lessened," Maddon said. "Again, listen, if it's deserved, I'm good. It was not. They don't need me out there, we need Javy out there. And it surprised me. I stand by what I'm saying. It was inappropriate. MLB needs to say something to us that it was inappropriate because it was and it could've led to the loss of that game."

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