Video: Atlanta Braves A.J. Pierzynski Thrown Out But Was He Ejected?
By Jeff Schafer
Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski left Wednesday nights game but not on his own terms.
Home plate umpire Joe West had enough of Pierzynski arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 6th inning and threw him out of the game.
Within the video below, you can see Pierzynski arguing the 2-0 pitch but it went on prior to this. A.J. wasn’t happy with how tight West’s strike zone was on Wednesday and he was telling him about it.
The top of the 6th inning started out with New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner at the plate and Arodys Vizcaino pitching for the Braves. Gardner looked at four straight pitches, all called balls by West. Next up, Jonathan Galvez. He takes four straight pitches, all balls. Next, Brian McCann. He looks at three straight pitches, all balls from umpire Joe West.
Take a look at what follows that ball three pitch…
The 38-year-old has a history of getting ejected from baseball games. His personality while in Chicago gave him a bad reputation with others in the MLB environment. But did West eject Pierzynski?
#Braves Fredi G chuckled over A.J. ejection by Cowboy Joe, said West "just asked for another catcher." Implication: Just Joe being Joe.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 19, 2015
When asked about A.J., Fredi said, "I don't know if he was ejected, I think (Joe West) just asked for another catcher." #Braves
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 19, 2015
So umpires have the opportunity to ask for a different catcher?? News to me.
During the 2015 offseason, A.J. has batted .467/.556/.533 with 2 RBIs, 1 double, 2 runs, 3 walks in the six games he played in. He’s currently slated to be the backup catcher to one of the Braves top prospects Christian Bethancourt.
Pierzynski and outfielder Jonny Gomes were brought to Atlanta to build the leadership and the veteran presence in the locker room. Braves players including Freddie Freeman have already said these guys have changed the atmosphere for a good.