Quote: Willie on Not Getting Ejected
In the fourth inning of last night’s game, Carlos Delgado hit a home run off the bottom of the foul poll in the left-field corner of Yankee Stadium, which was reversed by the home plate umpire following a pow-wow at mid field.
It was clearly a home run.
The third base ump, who was closest to the play, actually called it correctly at first, yet the home plate ump, who was furthest from the play, called it foul.
In a post to his blog for the New York Post, Bart Hubbach wonders, “How in the world does Randolph not get himself ejected in this situation,” yet Jerry Manuel, his bench coach, did.
Randolph, speaking to reporters last night, 
when asked if getting ejected would make fans happy, said:
“Nah, I don’t believe in doing something silly like that just to appease the fans. If you’ve got a reason to protect your players and do that you go do it. What’s that gonna do? Getting thrown out of the game? They’ll be happy about that? Then what happens? I’m the leader of this club and I don’t believe about moaning about calls. It was obvious he blew the call, so what are you gonna do. You keep your composure and play the game…
“That’s what bench coaches do…The guy came over and told me to shut up. So, Jerry took exception to that, and I did too. He was looking to run some one. He was looking in the dugout. I mean, if you blow a call like that, stay in the game. He was looking to run some one and Jerry took the bait.”
…i get the criticism, but i’m with willie on this, in that this is not the spot to get thrown out…it accomplishes nothing, especially, if like most people on the left-side of the building, you didn’t get a good look at the play…personally, if a manager is going to get tossed, it should be if a) the ump is repeatedly making the same bad call over and over, or b) you need to defend your player, who is visibly upset about the blown call…in this case, none of the above apply…the fans should be the least of willie’s worry right now…
Following the game, the home plate umpire repeatedly admitted to having ‘F’d up’ the call, as he put it, after having a chance to watch it on replay.
Ryan Church, on the call, talking to reporters, said:
“It hit the black part of the pole…It was a home run…Eh, we still put up 11 (smile).”
…excellent response…that’s the right attitude…
