Aaron Boone, manager of the New York Yankees, was ejected in the first inning of Monday’s matinee game against the Oakland Athletics, but he will be able to prove his innocence easily. That’s because the YES Network production crew clearly identified the source of the jeering that umpire Hunter Wendelstedt believed he heard coming from Boone.
A supporter seated right behind the home dugout at Yankee Stadium poured it on Wendelstedt after a couple of questionable calls at the plate, and the umpire took it out on Boone. When an enraged Boone explained to Wendelstedt that he hadn’t said anything after being asked to shut up during the previous at-bat, Wendelstedt could be heard on YES saying, “I don’t care.”
The whole fiasco started when Boone complained about the umpires awarding Oakland’s leadoff player a hit by pitch walk to begin the bottom of the first. Boone snapped at Wendelstedt, and after the home plate umpire called a clear ball outside the plate a strike, Boone spoke up again.
“Guess what? You’re not yelling at me; I did what I was supposed to do,” Wendelstadt said to Boone. “I don’t want him to get hit by the pitch…” Got anything else to say? You’re gone.”
The YES cameras stayed on Boone, who clearly remained silent. However, after hearing further chirping (from the fan), Wendelstedt expelled Boone.
"We're not going to need a Jomboy breakdown of that one"
YES Network crew captures Yankees manager Aaron Boone ejection after umpire Hunter Wendelstedt hears a fan heckling from the seats
When Boone explains, YES mics pick up Wendelstedt responding: "I don't care, you're gone" pic.twitter.com/YQ0VAoRflV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 22, 2024
When YES went to replay after Boone was ejected, Wendelstedt could be heard saying, “I don’t care who said it, you’re gone.”
Further replays revealed a man in a blue hoodie in the front row yelling at Wendelstedt, prompting the dismissal.
OH MY GOD that fan in blue got boone in trouble this is the funniest thing i ever seen pic.twitter.com/o4W0VAUo46
— chris kreider respecter (@jonmoxIeys) April 22, 2024
Following the commotion at the bottom of the first, the fan removed his blue sweatshirt in an attempt to avoid detection.
However, he kept his Yankees hat.
Ryan Ruocco, the play-by-play announcer, observed, “We’re not going to need a Jomboy breakdown of that one,” referring to Jimmy O’Brien, the founder of Jomboy Media, and his famous MLB lip-reading films.
Don’t be surprised if Boone sends these clips in to have his ejection overturned by the league.
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