Pitcher gives umpire the middle finger, a breakdown

Jul 25, 2021 878.3K views 3:18
MLB 2021

What Happened

In a tense National League matchup, Miami Marlins pitcher Richard Blyer takes the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning, trying to preserve a 3-2 lead over the visiting Washington Nationals. With two outs and a runner on second base, Blyer induces a soft fly ball that drops in front of the Nationals' left fielder, allowing the tying run to score. Blyer, clearly frustrated by the turn of events, expresses his displeasure to the home plate umpire. The umpire had initially ruled that the batter had not swung at the pitch, which had hit him on the wrist. Blyer adamantly disagrees, believing it was a full swing. As the argument escalates, Blyer gestures angrily, ultimately giving the umpire the middle finger before being pulled from the game by Marlins manager Don Mattingly. As Blyer walks off the field, he continues to voice his dissatisfaction, calling the umpire's decision "fucking horseshit" and saying "I don't give a fuck if it hit him, that's a full fucking swing and you've got to make that fucking call." The umpire attempts to calm the situation, explaining that he had to appeal the play, but Blyer remains incensed, telling the umpire to "fuck you" and "get out of here." The incident highlights the high-stakes and emotional nature of the late-inning matchup, with the Marlins fighting to hold onto a slim lead and the Nationals looking to rally. Blyer's outburst, while understandable given the intensity of the moment, ultimately results in his ejection from the game, leaving the Marlins to navigate the remainder of the contest without their starting pitcher. As Blyer departs, he is left to reflect on the play and his reaction, likely realizing that his frustration got the better of him in the heat of the moment. The video of the incident will undoubtedly spark discussion among fans and analysts, with many weighing in on the umpire's decision and Blyer's emotional response.

Full Transcript

Click timestamps to jump to that moment

we got richard blyer on the bump for

miami he's having a pretty good season

and they're asking him to hold on to the

one

run lead in this game it's brought to