DJ LeMahieu isn’t exactly known as a hothead, but that wasn’t enough for him to get some grace late Friday night from first base umpire Jeremie Rehak.
Aaron Boone wasn’t the only Yankee to get tossed in the 10th inning of the Boston Red Sox’s 2-1, 10-inning walk-off win over New York. Boone was rung after stepping out of the dugout, then throwing his gum in disgust, over a reviewed foul ball.
LeMahieu had laced a hot shot down the first base line that was ruled foul on the first pitch of the at-bat. The Yankees challenged the call, as it looked like the ball might’ve just hit the chalk, but it ultimately was upheld. Boone was quickly tossed for leaving the dugout to protest the decision, but LeMahieu ended up working an eight-pitch at-bat before grounding out to first.
After rounding first base to head back to the dugout with the inning over, LeMahieu was seen making a passing comment to Rehak, who quickly tossed him. It was the first ejection of the 37-year-old’s career, who said he made a fairly innocent remark.
“No, no,” LeMahieu said, half-chuckling when asked if he thought the comment rose to the level of ejection-worthy, via YES. “Of all the things I’ve said to umpires, I was pretty surprised.”
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So, what was the comment then?
“I just said that was a brutal call,” LeMahieu said. “(Rehak) said ‘What did you say?’ And I was like ‘That was brutal’ and that was it.”
LeMahieu said he didn’t use any obscenities.
Certainly, Rehak has heard worse. However, since the call was reviewed, it ultimately was the league’s decision to uphold it. Arguing review decisions results in an immediate ejection, and that appears to have been the impetus for LeMahieu’s, even though the comment was fairly benign.
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Frustration had already been percolating for the Yankees, as moments earlier Anthony Volpe was thrown out trying to steal third in a play that also required a lengthy review. In that case, the call on the field was safe, but overturned upon review.
The rivals will meet again Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. ET.
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