Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman was ejected in the sixth inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants for a reason you don’t see very much — clapping.
Walker came to the plate in the fifth inning and struck out in three pitches. The second pitch was a called strike and the third was on a swing that Walker clearly thought he checked.
And while he didn’t boisterously protest either call, it wasn’t hard to tell that he was unhappy with both of them.
For context, this is what Walker was previously upset with. Didn’t buy either the second strike call or the appeal on Strike 3. pic.twitter.com/t6ct9X8XIC
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 13, 2023
An inning later, Walker’s teammate, shortstop Nick Ahmed was up. Ahmed motioned to bunt on a 2-1 pitch but at the last second, pulled back. As had happened with Walker an inning before, Ahmed’s bunt attempt was appealed to umpire Ramon De Jesus at first base. This time, De Jesus ruled Arizona’s way, saying that Ahmed had pulled back.
Walker responded to the ruling with a clap — and was promptly ejected by home plate umpire, Alfonso Márquez.
D-Backs first baseman Christian Walker struck out on an appeal l in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Arizona gets an appeal go its way. Walker claps —
And is tossed. pic.twitter.com/utPTSShX9j
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 13, 2023
Baseball fans were left confused and frustrated with the ejection.
This should be a 25-game suspension … for the umpire. https://t.co/5sH8esVy16
— Brandon Ogden (@BrandonOSports) May 13, 2023
That is a soft toss blue. I’d say he needs a thicker skin but Walker didn’t do anything on a taunting manner. Weak sauce. https://t.co/4e4E35Kq9E
— Dean Millard 🏒🦆🎙 (@DuckMillard) May 13, 2023
Just what I was saying about ejections. This is just absurd. But again, this is on the owners because they employ the commissioner and no one does anything to stop it. https://t.co/sL0AOqUmvK
— Jay Posner (@JayPosnerSD) May 13, 2023
What a jokeeee https://t.co/bqeyO6Im0J
— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) May 13, 2023
Clearly, Márquez thought that Walker was being sarcastic and didn’t care for it. But that’s no reason to eject a player. An umpire’s job is to control the game to be sure that things don’t get out of hand. With his ejection of Walker for clapping (even if the claps were legitimately sarcastic), he did the exact opposite.
[Photo Credit: Bally Sports Arizona]
