Anthony Rizzo got tossed in one of the softest ejections you’ll see. The Cubs were in San Francisco trying to avoid a sweep when Rizzo came up in a tense at-bat. He worked the count full after thinking he had drawn a walk on a borderline pitch. The ump called it a strike, and Rizzo looked frustrated but stayed in it. He fouled one off, then struck out swinging on the 3-2 pitch. As he walked away, he let out a frustrated curse. Nothing directed at the umpire. No gesture. Just venting. Then he got ejected.
It didn’t make sense. Rizzo didn’t argue or show up the ump. Even the Cubs’ third base coach took a second to process what just happened before coming over. Everyone seemed confused. The ump tossed him over a common reaction, which felt like an overreaction. It wasn’t about protecting the game or maintaining order. It just looked thin-skinned.
Meanwhile, the broadcast kept cutting to a nearby group of guys squeezing into an inflatable swan and setting off on San Francisco Bay with booze and snacks in hand. Their situation was just as chaotic, but at least they were enjoying themselves. Unlike Rizzo, who left the field staring back in disbelief.