KANSAS CITY, Missouri — It’s common for a major league pitcher to be taken out of a game after letting a batter hit one over the fence.
But in this case, a pitcher got taken out of a game – then put one over the fence himself.
It happened yesterday when Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer realized manager Terry Francona was coming out of the dugout to remove him from the game.
As his manager approached, Bauer heaved the ball from just past the pitcher’s mound, over the center field fence.
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Bauer had just given up a two-run hit to put his team behind, so it was unclear whether he was upset with his own performance or his manager’s giving him the hook.
It appears Francona thought Bauer’s move an attempt to show him up – because the two exchanged words on the mound and after both men entered the dugout, they disappeared into the tunnel to the locker room.
Both reappeared in the dugout later in the inning, separate but apparently fuming.
After the game, Bauer apologized.
Trevor Bauer opened with an apology before taking any questions after throwing a ball over the center-field wall out of frustration in today’s game: pic.twitter.com/FUMxILdGmd
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) July 28, 2019
The move garnered quite a reaction from people on Twitter.
@BauerOutage throwing the ball over the center field wall in frustration today is the best thing I’ve seen this year in baseball. #makebaseballgreatagain
— Corey Frye (@luckb0xp0ker) July 29, 2019
@BauerOutage lots of respect for the apology today. None of us are perfect.
— Scott (@socal_scott25) July 29, 2019
@BauerOutage Forget about today. We all have bad days at the office. You’re a HUGE part of us clawing our way back into competing for the division. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. #Windians
— Matt (@reallifeshrek) July 29, 2019
I love that Trevor Bauer launched this ball to dead center. It shows that he cares and was truly upset with how he pitched. He’s a competitor that every team would want. pic.twitter.com/RC87AFpEIx
— Chris Wilson (@TWN_Wilson) July 29, 2019