Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Offense nowhere to be found in loss to Blue Jays
Jun 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Jose Bautista (19) reacts after first base umpire Larry Vanover (not pictured) calls him out on strikes during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Washington Nationals 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Bautista Shows Up Umpire–Doesn’t Get Tossed
Jose Bautista was upset during the seventh inning when he struck out on a called third strike when first base umpire Larry Vanover ruled that Bautista did not hold up his swing.
Bautista walked away from the plate toward the Jays dugout, and then turned around and applauded in Vanover’s direction. He wasn’t saying that Vanover made a good call.
The umpires let him have his show and the game continued. Vanover didn’t react and Bautista didn’t get thrown out of the game for “showing up the umpire”.
Imagine the media firestorm that would still be going on right now if Bryce Harper had done what Bautista did. Even if Harper hadn’t gotten ejected for that antic, he would be condemned for being immature, not respecting the game, showing off, drawing attention to himself, and making the game about himself.
The highlight of Harper sarcastically applauding a call by an umpire that he disagreed with would be on SportsCenter and every major sports related web site. Twitter would have film posted and tons of tweets out there with folks debating whether this was just another example of what a jerk Harper can be.
I would bet everything in my kid’s college fund ($5.04) that Bautista’s antics don’t rate much of a mention anywhere. It’s doubtful Twitter will blow up discussing Bautista’s lack of respect for the umpires or how he shouldn’t be setting a bad example for the young fans of the game.
I guess making an example of Bautista isn’t in the media’s best interest. For some reason, they think making an example of Harper is. Go figure.