The Chicago Cubs have had no shortage of frustrations over the past few weeks.
A franchise-record 18 wins in April gave way to a dreadful 10-18 record in May, putting the team six-and-a-half games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central entering June.
On Wednesday against the White Sox, the frustrations boiled over for second baseman Nico Hoerner, who was ejected in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner is ejected following a strikeout.
Hoerner objected to the third strike and was quickly tossed by umpire Vic Carapazza. pic.twitter.com/bB9h1Lx7Gw
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 6, 2024
While arguing balls and strikes is an automatic ejection in MLB, it’s easy to see where Hoerner is coming from. In addition to the team’s struggles weighing on the players, that pitch was significantly off of the plate. Carapazza’s very animated strikeout call likely added to Hoerner’s frustrations.
Manager Craig Counsell came out to diffuse the situation but didn’t get ejected. Generally in that situation, a manager will get ejected to stand up for their player and attempt to light a fire under the team, which the Cubs could have used at the moment.
This was Hoerner’s first career ejection in his six seasons as a big leaguer. While Counsell didn’t get ejected to give the team a jump, it seems like Hoerner’s ejection was able to, as the Cubs managed to claw back from their 5-1 deficit to take the lead in the seventh inning.
Social media had a lot to say about the ejection.
This umpire is a freaking joke.
— Todd (@bleacherbum099) June 6, 2024
Robot umpires for the win
— Garett Nelson (@garettnelson) June 6, 2024
This is a trend among umpires who are showoffs.
— HoyaSaxa.com (@hoyatalk) June 6, 2024
