MLB world reacts to manager’s theatrical ejection

Cincinnati Reds skipper David Bell got ejected from Thursday’s game with the Chicago Cubs. And it’s safe to say he made the most of it.

Things have not gone particularly well for the Reds in their four-game series at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati did take Game 1, but Chicago responded with wins over the next two games, outscoring the Reds 36-15. And as things started to go south for the Reds in Thursday’s series finale, Bell got some things off of his chest.

Pitcher Luke Weaver retired Nick Madrigal and Mike Tauchman to start the bottom of the third inning. Weaver then struck out Nico Hoerner, but did so on a wild pitch. Hoerner reached base to extend the inning. Then, Ian Happ walked and Cody Bellinger singled to bring home Hoerner. Dansby Swanson then walked to load the bases. Following that, Weaver issued a pair of bases-loaded walks to Christopher Morel and Jeimer Candelario, bringing in two runs.

And while umpires have come received a lot of criticism in recent seasons, the calls from home plate umpire Derek Thomas were not controversial. But Bell, either not realizing that or, more likely, trying to spark his team, went out to argue.

Checking in on David Bell and the Reds. pic.twitter.com/GofW8GCxDX

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 4, 2023

The reaction was mixed. Plenty of observers, including the team’s own broadcasters, acknowledged that the pitches in question were correctly called.

"Well David is protecting his pitcher on the mound. But folks, those were balls." https://t.co/LsGNyg44QJ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 4, 2023

David Bell is going off on the umpire, but I wonder if he's just upset at how ineffective his pitching has been this series. pic.twitter.com/t35K5Ud4Ia

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) August 4, 2023

DAVID BELL IS ARGUING BECAUSE THE UMPIRES ARE CALLING BALLS, BALLS?! 🤡 pic.twitter.com/vT6woXa5RH

— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) August 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/cgarber8/status/1687270858807488512

But there was also plenty of commentary on Bell’s performance.

I like that he takes his hat off and puts it back on 2 separate times during this clip https://t.co/81vnxb7EMN

— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) August 4, 2023

I’m curious what his original plan was with his hat. It threw his whole act off. Complete improvisation from there. Hate it when things don’t go as planned. https://t.co/AArGpL9pn3

— Wooooo™ (@WoooooTheReds) August 4, 2023

The more you see of these encounters, they often end up being dumber than fights in hockey. https://t.co/dezkB3Z1FC

— Dad Strafford (@DanStrafford) August 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/adam_christ_boy/status/1687274555004665857

A good ole fashion Lou Piniella level meltdown. 👏🏻 https://t.co/CjSOQzyUK8

— Brent Gunning (@Gunning590) August 4, 2023

this was hilariously fake. Give Bell credit for seeing it through https://t.co/pwQDbn7JSr

— Matt Snyder (@MattSnyderCBS) August 4, 2023