Umpires argue with managers and players all the time. It happens every day in the majors, but very rarely do we see an instance where multiple umpires are engaged in entirely separate arguments simultaneously. On Sunday, three of the guys in blue found themselves arguing separate calls at the same time.
With the bases loaded and the Brewers leading the Nationals 3-2, Milwuakee’s Norichika Aoki dropped down a squeeze bunt that was picked up by Washington pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s throw to first nearly pulled Steve Lombardozzi off the bag, but the replay showed he was able to maintain contact long enough to get the out. The ump called the runner safe, and that’s where argument number one began.
Jonathan Lucroy had already scored from third on the play, but as Lombardozzi began arguing with first base umpire Tim Welke Cody Ransom also sprinted home and scored. However, home plate umpire Mike Estabrook said that time had been called and ordered Ransom to go back to first base. With that call, argument two was born.
That prompted Brewers manager Ron Roenicke to come out of the dugout and argue that time was never called. While all of this was going on, Ransom was arguing the call with third base umpire Laz Diaz. Meanwhile, second base umpire Paul Schrieber minded his own business out in the middle of the infield.
If managers thought they had a rough time arguing blown calls like this one and this one, try doing it while two other arguments are going on right next to you at the exact same time. Now that’s an uphill battle.
