May 12, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) reacts and argues a call in front of home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez (72) and San Francisco Giants catcher Blake Sabol (2) during the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker was ejected in Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants for a really weird reason.
It may only be May, but there have been some questionable calls from umpires. In turn, that not only raised the blood pressure of the players and managers across the league, but also the diehard fans who were watching at home or from the stadium. There is a reason why it’s called “the Ump Show.” But on Friday night, we may have seen the weirdest ejection yet.
In Friday night’s game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, first baseman Christian Walker found out his night was over in the bottom of the sixth inning. After the first base umpire Ramon De Jesus issued a ball to Nick Ahmed after a bunt attempt, Walker clapped in agreement with the call. But, home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez took issue with Walker, and ejected him from the game
Walker was perplexed and befuddled as to why he was thrown out of the game.
Christian Walker ejected by home plate umpire for clapping for correct call
While it may seem like it came out of nowhere, there appears to be some reason as to why Marquez ejected Walker.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Walker wasn’t happy with a strike two call made by Marquez. Then on the next pitch, Walker thought he checked his swing, but De Jesus said that he didn’t, thus calling him out on strikes.
Walker’s ejection wasn’t too costly for the Diamondbacks, as they ended up winning the game 7-5. They broke the 4-4 tie with an RBI double by Dominic Fletcher and a passed ball by Giants catcher Blake Sabol to allow Gabriel Moreno to score. Then in the seventh inning, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit an RBI double to give Arizona their seventh run of the game.
When we vote for the weirdest ejection of the 2023 MLB season, Walker’s for clapping might be a legitimate finalist.
