New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
It was his first career ejection in 870 career games and Trent Grisham replaced Judge in center field.
In the bottom of the seventh inning and New York leading 5-3, Judge took a 92-mph fastball from Tyler Holton on the outside corner, striking out looking.
Judge walked away from the plate as he said something to home plate umpire Ryan Blakney. As Judge made his way to the dugout, he had his back turned and Blakney promptly tossed him from the game.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone came out of the dugout to argue the case, but to no avail. Judge had four at-bats in Saturday’s game, with two hits, an RBI, and two strikeouts.
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‘Very surprising, especially in a 5-3 game, late in the game,’ Judge told reporters after the game. ‘Battling a 3-2 count and kind of walking away saying my piece. I’ve said a lot worse. …I usually try not to make a scene in situations like that. So a little surprised [that] walking away that happened.’
For the season, the 2022 AL MVP is hitting .209 with six home runs and 19 RBI.
‘I got a lot of respect for Ryan and what he does,’ Judge said postgame. ‘I know their job is tough and I’ve always had their back because it’s tough back there. So, for it to happen that way, that’s what I’m most upset about. Especially late in a game like that, close game.’
